How to Adjust to a Life with Dentures

Dentures are a life-changing prosthetic that lots of people need to use at some point in their lives. But while the benefits of dentures may be significant if you are afflicted by tooth loss, there is still a bit of a learning curve when it comes to living with them.

To help you out, here are some tips on adjusting to dentures that will make them less of a daunting prospect when they are prescribed.

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Get a good dentist in your area

It is so much easier to embrace dentures if you are supported by a dentist who understands your needs and is supportive of you in all the right ways.

Finding a dentist locally that can provide custom filled dentures will set you up for years of satisfying false teeth use. And of course if problems arise and you need help, knowing that a dentist you trust is just a phone call away will put your mind at ease.

Chat with an existing user

Another sensible step for denture newbies is to have a conversation with someone who has already been using this type of prostheses for some time.

Veterans of denture use will be able to impart all sorts of pearls of wisdom, and point out potential pitfalls, so that you are equipped with a more rounded understanding of what to expect.

Given that close to a fifth of over-65s are completely without teeth, it should not be too hard to find someone in your family and friendship circles who is in the same boat.

Prepare for dietary changes

Dentures don’t have the same innate sturdiness as a good set of original teeth, and if you dive straight into eating tough, chewy, sticky foods, you might find that they are incapable of adhering to your gums as well as you’d like.

The answer is to ease yourself in with softer foods, and gradually take steps back towards a more normal diet over time. Soups and pureed products are a good starting point, so that you don’t go hungry.

Then when you want to start chewing, do so with smaller morsels so that you can get to grips with how much pressure to apply, and learn the limits of your dentures in the comfort of your own dining room.

Practice speaking with your dentures

Just as practicing your eating with dentures affixed is wise, it also makes sense to set some time aside in the first couple of weeks to acclimate yourself to speaking aloud.

The reason that this is important is that dentures will invariably impact how you form sounds with your lips and tongue. This can be vexing at first, so slowing down the speed of your speech and going easy on yourself is a good idea.

Also prepare for the likelihood that your false teeth will make a clicking sound when you close them as you speak. This is also something you will be able to manage better with practice, so do not rush things and you should be fine.

Follow denture maintenance guidelines

Finally, as your dentures will be an important accessory to help you live your life from day to day, you need to care for them so that they can last as long as possible.

Toothpaste and other usual teeth-cleaning tactics are not suitable for dentures, so follow the maintenance guidelines offered by your dentist. There are specialist products available, and the more attention you give to keeping them in good condition, the longer they will be there for you, and you can look forward to many happy years of denture use.

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