Dentures: The Transition & What to Expect

If you're considering dentures, it helps to know what to expect in the process. Our Toothworks dentists discuss some common complaints and tips for adjusting to your new teeth.

What to Expect

Dentures can help to restore your smile and the function of your teeth. But, adjusting to them will take some time and effort.

On average, it will take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to fully adjust to wearing dentures.

Your mouth will have to adapt to the changes and get used to having dentures where teeth once were. Knowing what to expect can help to make the transition a little easier.

Benefits of Dentures

With the realities of having dentures fitted, it's good to also keep in mind the advantages of why you would choose dentures.

These include improved confidence, they support facial structure and muscles, reduce bone loss, and are a good long-term solution for missing teeth.

Common Complaints

Some common criticisms of dentures in the early stages include:

Sore spots and bone chips may develop
Gums may loosen or shrink
Make your smile seem unnatural
Affect chewing
Cause higher production of saliva
Trouble speaking or eating while wearing new dentures

Keep in mind that most of these issues are temporary and are a natural part of the denture process.

Tips for Adjusting to Dentures

It's no secret that having a dental appliance in your mouth will feel unnatural and a bit awkward in the first few days or weeks. Some of the biggest challenges will be related to the changes in eating and speaking during that time. Below, we've listed some tips to help

Eating

Initially, extractions and new dentures will make a diet of soft or liquid foods necessary. Due to food limitations early in the process, it might be easiest to plan ahead and prepare foods that will be ready when you're hungry. Foods that don't require much chewing are best to prevent discomfort or pain. You can also make use of a blender, food processor, or juicer to eat some of your favourite foods during this transition. The following list will help you in the first few days or weeks.

Applesauce
Oatmeal
Muffins
Pancakes
Yogurt
Tofu
Soups
Soft or melted cheeses
Avocadoes
Smoothies
Eggs
Steamed or cooked vegetables that have softened
Tofu
Rice
Pasta
Ice cream or milkshakes

Talking

Like eating, talking will also be a little awkward in the first few weeks. But you can feel comfortable and confident in speaking again with some practice.

To help adjust to talking with dentures, it might help to speak a little slower than usual. This will help you control the movement and might reduce the clicking sounds that can happen if the dentures are shifting while speaking. You may find that denture adhesive helps to keep your dentures in place. Ask your dentist if this solution is right for you.

To practice, especially in the first few days when people sometimes feel a bit self-conscious speaking around others, you might find it helpful to read out loud to yourself. This allows you to practice or repeat difficult sounds without concern for how others may respond. The more you practice, the easier and more natural it will become, quickly making you confident in your new dentures!