New dentures can be a cause for celebration as they increase your quality of life and improve your self-esteem. However, adjusting to your new dentures can take some time. At McCabe Denture Clinic we get asked a lot of questions and hear a lot of concerns from our patients. To help answer these commonly asked questions, our team has put together some tips to help you adjust to your new dentures.
1. Give It Time
Like with most things, it will take some time to get comfortable with your new dentures — especially if they are your first pair. The reason you might be experiencing discomfort is because your gums and other soft tissues need time to get used to being in contact with your dentures.
In most cases, patients adapt quite quickly to their new dentures (30 days on average), but if you notice that you are feeling discomfort after that, give us a call.
Expert Tip: Singing can help you get used to your new dentures! Sing in the car or shower to exercise your cheeks and get your mouth used to having dentures.
2. Eat Mindfully
Initially, there may be certain foods that take some extra time to get used to eating. Don’t worry, once you overcome this new learning curve you will be able to enjoy all your favourite foods again!
Here is a list of foods to enjoy and foods to avoid.
Foods you can enjoy right away:
- Hot cereals (but not too hot!)
- Apple sauce
- Broth
- Pudding
- Gelatin dessert
- Mashed potatoes/vegetables
- Juice
- Yogurt
- Protein shakes
Foods you can enjoy after a few days/weeks:
- Cooked rice
- Pasta
- Soft bread
- Soup with soft meat and veg
- Cooked greens
- Soft, skin-free fish
Foods to be cautious of:
- Nuts
- Raw fruit
- Vegetables
- Tough meat
- Crunchy snacks
Regardless of what type of food you’re eating, consider how you chew and the size of bites you’re taking.
Chewing
Make sure you’re chewing on both sides of your mouth evenly. Put equal amounts of food on both sides and chew at the same time — this will help keep your dentures stable as you chew.
Bite-size
Taking smaller bites is always a good suggestion. Not only does it help with digestion, but it can also help reduce any discomfort you may be experiencing when chewing.
The McCabe Denture team is incredible — they are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They were able to create dentures to fix my snoring and I can’t thank them enough. Life savers! — Matthew M.
3. Clean Diligently
Denture hygiene is very important. Rinse your dentures after eating and clean them every day — this can be done overnight. Adjust your nighttime routine to include this step as it is crucial. Depending on which type of cleaner you use, you should be soaking your dentures for anywhere from 15 minutes to overnight. Check the directions to ensure you’re following the time recommended for your particular brand. Avoid cleaning your dentures with regular toothpaste as it’s too abrasive, and use a toothbrush that is specifically designed for dentures. These steps will protect your dentures from scratches, damage, and ensure that they are properly cleaned and sanitized.
Once you are used to your dentures, we recommend that you book an appointment with your denturist for a full professional exam every year, which includes a cleaning, to keep your dentures white and in good condition. At this important appointment, your denturist will examine your dentures to ensure that they are in good condition and are not at risk of any chips, or other damage.
Book an appointment with McCabe Denture & Implant Solutions here to discuss custom permanent dentures, denture implants, and repairs.
