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How to Get Used to Wearing Dentures

How to Get Used to Wearing Dentures

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How to Get Used to Wearing Dentures Dentist Holland, MI

If you’ve recently lost one or more teeth, our dentist may recommend dentures. We can help you with the transition into wearing dentures. Dentures are prosthetic teeth that can help you regain your smile and improve your daily life.

If you’re new to dentures, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to make a smooth transition.

Don’t Let Dentures Dry Out

When your dentures aren’t in your mouth, they should be submerged in a glass of water or cleanser. While natural teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, you’ll need to make sure you never let your full or partial dentures dry out lest they crack and warp.

Brush Your Dentures

Brush denture teeth like you would natural ones. If you have partial dentures, you’ll need to make sure you also take care of the remaining teeth in your smile by brushing twice a day and flossing once daily.

If you don’t brush your dentures, bacteria will build upon the surface and give you bad breath. Neglecting denture care can also discolor or stain your false teeth. Our dentist will make sure you understand how to care for your new dentures before leaving our office so you can take control of your oral health.

Line the sink with a towel when you’re cleaning your dentures. That way, you’re less likely to break your dentures if you drop them by accident.

Brush Your Gums

Even if you have full dentures, it’s important that you brush your gums. Otherwise, food particles and plaque will build upon the surface of your gums and increase your risk of gingivitis. While gingivitis is reversible, the same can’t be said once it progresses into periodontitis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 47.2% of Americans age 30 and older have periodontitis. Don’t be one of them. Since your dentures sit on top of your gums, you’ll want to do everything you can to avoid gingivitis and periodontitis. We recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles to help stimulate gums and keep them healthy.

Practice Speaking Out Loud

Talking with a lisp is normal while getting used to new dentures. It will take some time for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to get used to speaking around a new oral appliance. We recommend keeping a running list of words that give you difficulty. Later, you’ll be able to practice these words so you can get used to speaking while wearing dentures.

Once you get used to your full or partial dentures, the lisp will disappear. We recommend reading out loud from one of your favorite books in the meantime.

Correct Slipping Dentures

Your dentures will slip occasionally when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or smile. When you feel your dentures slipping, gently bite down and swallow. Doing this will help you discreetly adjust your dentures while in public.

If you notice your dentures slipping more than usual, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with our dentist as soon as possible. We’ll be able to adjust the fit of your dentures so they look natural and fit comfortably.

Take Out Your Dentures at Night

It’s important that you take out your dentures at night so your gums have a chance to rest and recover. Gums help support any remaining natural teeth in your mouth.

But even if you don’t have any natural teeth left, your gums are still vital to your oral health. For example, you want your dentures to be supported by pink healthy gums.

Learn More About Wearing Dentures

Don’t suffer in silence if your dentures don’t fit exactly right. Our dentist would be more than happy to adjust the fit of your dentures so they rest comfortably in your mouth. We want to make sure that you’re happy with your new dentures. After all, full and partial dentures are supposed to improve your quality of life so you can eat, talk, and smile with confidence.

Dr. Brenton Habecker can help you explore your tooth replacement options, including dentures. To schedule your appointment with our dentist in Holland, MI, call Macatawa Smiles at (616) 396-7524.

This blog post has been updated.

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM DR. HABECKER AND HIS TEAM

Dear Patient Family,

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for all of us. Many of you have been forced to wait for dental care and we appreciate your understanding while we kept our office closed to follow orders from the Governor's Office.

We are happy to say that we are opening our office for all patient treatment on June 1st, 2020. Our hours of operation will go back to normal, Monday-Thursday 8am - 5pm. We want you to know that there will be some changes at your next appointment. Please be patient with us as our protocols will inevitably change as new guidelines are released.

  • We ask that you use our parking lot as the waiting room.
  • Please wear a mask when you come into the office and leave it on until entering the treatment room. Homemade is acceptable.
  • Only the person receiving treatment should come in the building, all others will be asked to wait in the car if at all possible. The exception will be for our minor patients who may have one parent accompany them.
  • We will be asking you some questions when you arrive at the office and we will also be taking your temperature.
  • We will not be able to offer magazines, drinks, or toys at this time as they cannot be disinfected to our standards. Eventually this will change and we will be happy to offer our amenities once again.

These changes have been made to adhere to the latest CDC guidelines and for the benefit of our patients and our staff. We want you to know that our office has always taken the safety of our patients very seriously and that we will continue to follow the highest levels of sterilization and disinfection to keep you protected. If you would like more information on what measures we have taken we would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

We cannot say how excited we are to see all of our patients again and to provide for their dental needs. We look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces soon!

Dr. Habecker and Team