Your First 30 Days Wearing Dentures

Feeling self-conscious of missing teeth? Our dentist may recommend dentures to restore your smile. We offer quality dentures because we understand how much you depend on your teeth for smiling, talking, and eating. Continue reading to learn what you can expect when first wearing dentures.

First 24 Hours

As the name suggests, immediate dentures can be worn immediately after extracting teeth. If we need to extract teeth, our dentist may prescribe you pain relievers and antibiotics to take as directed while the site heals.

It’s important that you don’t remove your dentures during the first 24 hours so the gums have a chance to heal. Your full dentures act much like a bandaid during your first day, which is why you’ll even need to wear your dentures to bed.

After 24 hours, we highly recommend removing your dentures before going to sleep. That way, your gums have a chance to rest and stay healthy. Your gums were never meant to be covered by dentures 24/7, which is why you need to give them breaks.

Since the extraction sites will be sore, we recommend eating soft foods like mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese.

First 2 Weeks

Once 24 hours have passed since tooth extraction, you’ll need to return to our office so our dentist can remove your dentures. It’s normal to develop sore spots during the first few days of wearing dentures. You may also have more saliva.

Gum tissue contracts as it heals. For this reason, you may need to visit our office several times so your dentures fit comfortably. If you experience dental discomfort or pain while eating, we recommend supplementing meals with Ensure or another protein-rich drink.

After 2 Weeks

It takes time for your gums, cheeks, and tongue to adjust to wearing an oral appliance. However, after a couple of weeks have passed, you’ll notice fewer sore spots in your mouth and less saliva. Don’t hesitate to call our office if you need your dentures adjusted. We’d be more than happy to set up a time for you.

It’ll take some time for you to get used to eating and talking with dentures. If you lisp while you talk, we recommend reading aloud from your favorite book and keeping a running list of words that give you difficulty. The more you speak with your dentures, the easier it’ll become over time.

Denture Care

Take care of your dentures like you would natural teeth. For example, you’ll need to brush your dentures twice a day to remove plaque and prevent bad odor. Submerge your full or partial dentures in water or denture cleaner when you’re not wearing them so they don’t dry out.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of Americans age 30 and older have periodontal disease. Don’t be one of them! If you’re wearing full dentures, you won’t have any natural teeth left. However, it’s still important to keep your gums healthy by brushing them twice a day.

Learn if You’re a Candidate for Dentures!

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

This blog post has been updated.