Are you curious about how your new dentures in Burlington will feel when you first put them in? While you’re excited about replacing your missing teeth, you’re also nervous about how your mouth will adjust. You want to minimize the awkward moments and get the most out of your restoration, sooner. Read on to learn about what sensations you can expect when you put your dentures in, and how to adjust to eating and speaking with them in.
How Will Your Dentures Look and Feel?
After years of suffering from missing teeth, many patients report their mouths feeling “full” when they put their new dentures in. So, you may feel like they’re overflowing in your mouth and are too big at first. They can also cause you to bite your cheek or tongue at first, while you’re getting used to them being in your mouth. There’s no need to worry though, this sensation will go away once your tongue gets used to pressing against your dentures instead of the roof of your mouth.
Since your restorations aren’t a part of your natural mouth, you may produce excessive amounts of saliva for a bit. This will decrease and eventually stop over time, though. You can also expect a little bit of soreness at first. If you continue to experience this, be sure to visit your dentist in Burlington to see if any adjustments need to be made.
How Can You Adjust to Eating With Your Dentures?
Like any oral appliance or restoration, you need a bit of time to relearn how to eat and speak with them in. Chewing will feel different with your dentures. You may feel like some foods have lost their flavor. This is just your mind focusing on the task of eating with and controlling your restoration instead of processing the messages your taste buds are giving off. To eat more easily and enjoy your food with your dentures, follow these tips:
- Cut your food into small, easily-chewable, bite-sized pieces.
- Chew half of the food in your mouth on the back-left side of your mouth and the rest on the back-right side. This helps evenly distribute the pressure on your restoration.
- When you first put your dentures in, try to limit yourself to soft foods like eggs, fish, cooked vegetables, and puddings. Gradually introduce chewier foods.
How Can You Adjust to Speaking With Your Dentures?
When you speak with your dentures in, you may notice a clicking sound. It’s best to speak slower at first to avoid that. Once your cheek and lip muscles begin to develop, you’ll be able to hold your restoration in place better. With practice, and by following these tips, you can speak more easily:
- Try using a denture adhesive to help hold your restoration in place while your lip and cheek muscles are developing.
- Bite and swallow before you begin speaking to avoid clicking.
- Practice reading aloud or singing in the shower to get used to the feeling of your restoration.
Once you get your dentures, it can feel overwhelming to have to relearn basic functions and get used to how they feel. Be sure to give them a chance! If you have any questions or concerns about the way they fit, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist to see if any adjustments need to be made.
About the Author
Dr. James Kostas offers his patients nearly three decades of experience and knowledge in dentistry. He enjoys restoring his patients’ smiles and improving their quality of life, which is why he offers every restoration from CEREC same-day crowns to dentures. He believes in providing everybody that walks through his doors with individualized and trustworthy care. For questions or to schedule a consultation to get dentures, visit Complete Dental Care’s website or contact 781-272-0441.
