Getting Used to Dentures: 5 Tips for Adjusting to Full and Partial Dentures

Getting used to dentures can take time, especially if they are brand new and you've never worn them before. It is perfectly normal for your new dentures to feel strange at first, but with a little patience, you should get used to them. However, there are some ways to help this process go a little more smoothly.

When you put any type of denture on for the first time it can be an uncomfortable experience, and you may become conscious of your appearance. Not only are you possibly facing lowered self-esteem and insecurities from missing teeth, but you also have to adjust to wearing false teeth.

We want you to feel confident, and comfortable wearing your dentures as soon as possible. So, here are our top 5 tips for getting used to them:

1. Practice speaking out loud
2. Learn how to eat while wearing dentures
3. Wearing false teeth for longer while you adjust
4. Practice denture slipping
5. Taking care of your dentures

These simple tips can make a big difference in how quickly you adjust to your dentures. So, let's get started on how to implement them, so you can get back to feeling like yourself.

Adjusting to new dentures

Dentures are the most common, and affordable way to replace missing teeth. And, although you may think of them as uncomfortable or awkward, modern-day dentures are actually a lot more comfortable than they were in the past.

If you are getting dentures after teeth extractions then, of course, they are going to feel very different to your natural teeth. But, don't let this put you off. You will eventually adjust to your new dentures, whichever type they are, with a little patience.

Before we get started it's worth mentioning how important it is that your removable teeth fit properly. Work closely with your dentist or dental technician when getting the final adjustments. Spending the time making sure they fit correctly from the start can go a long way to getting you used to them faster.

Some find that their NHS dentures don't fit, and need to get them readjusted.

How do you get used to wearing dentures?

Your dentist will give you a lot of information and advice when you first get your new false teeth, but possibly the most important is that it takes time and patience. So, let's dive into our 5 tips.

Practice speaking out loud

Speaking out loud enables you to get used to talking with others while wearing your new dentures. A good way to do this is by reading out loud. At first, you might talk with a lisp which is normal whether you have full, or partial dentures. Persevere as this should disappear with more practice.

As you read out loud, you may notice there are a few words that you have difficulty saying. Keep a list of these words so that you can practice later.

Learn how to eat while wearing dentures

When eating with full or partial dentures for the first time, you will find that your gums need time to get accustomed to the pressure. Chewing might even cause your gums to feel sore are first, and biting into different foods may cause pain.

What sort of foods can you eat with new dentures?

Learning what foods cause more discomfort can help you avoid soreness or irritation of the gums. Soft foods are an obvious starting place when it comes to learning how to eat with false teeth. Some food options to try in the first few days include:

• Mashed potatoes or vegetables
• Baked beans
• Ice cream
• Smoothies
• Eggs
• Soup
• Pureed foods

When you are ready, you can try moving on to more solid foods, such as:

• Rice
• Pasta
• Bread
• Fish
• Cooked vegetables

What foods should you avoid with dentures?

Foods that denture wearers should avoid include hard, sticky, or chewy foods. Cut more solid foods into small pieces and try not to bite down with your front teeth. Try to use your back teeth instead and chew food on both the left and right sides of your mouth.

This will make sure you don't affect the alignment of your false teeth. Over time you will adapt to your new bite and be able to eat more efficiently.

Practice denture slipping

Denture slipping is the act of readjusting your denture discreetly in public. Your false teeth will most likely slip at some point, whether it is from a cough, sneeze, laugh or even a smile. If you bite down on your denture and swallow you should be able to reset it into the correct position.

Wearing dentures for longer while you adjust

When you first get permanent dentures, your dentist or dental technician might tell you that keeping them on longer will help you get used to them. If you remove your dentures often during the day, you may not get used to having them on for longer periods of time.

Taking care of your dentures

Knowing how to correctly clean and care for your dentures will help them to feel normal. And, it will stop them from causing discomfort, or sore spots in your mouth in the future.

Make sure your dentures don't dry out. Just like your remaining teeth and gums are constantly covered with saliva, they should remain moist. Don't use hot or boiling water to soak or wash your false teeth in case they warp or change shape. Don't soak dentures in Steradent overnight, and be careful when cleaning a partial denture with any small attachments.

Another important step to remember is to brush your false teeth, gums and tongue with a soft brush. This will help to clear bacteria, plaque and food particles from your mouth so that you don't get sore spots, gum disease or tooth decay in your remaining teeth.

How long does it take to get used to wearing dentures?

It can take anywhere between 4 and 8 weeks to adapt to wearing a denture. If your removable teeth are taking longer to feel normal, or are causing you pain, speak to your dentist to find a solution. Your tongue, cheeks, gums and lips may all need longer than just the first few days to adapt, so be patient.

If you want to know more about how to make your dentures fit better, read our article to learn more.

Conclusion

Getting used to false teeth is not always easy, and it can take time for your mouth to get used to them. It can also take you time to have confidence in yourself and with your appearance after getting a new denture.

There are ways to make this process slightly smoother. Eat soft foods before moving on to more solid foods, practice speaking out loud and readjusting your denture discretely, and make sure to care for them correctly.

Use our tips to help you get used to your dentures, but remember to give yourself plenty of time and patience. And, if you feel like you are just not getting used to them, or they are causing you discomfort, speak to your dentist to find a solution.

FAQs

Do dentures ever feel normal?

Your new dentures may feel uncomfortable in the first few days. But, dentures take more than a few days, or even weeks to get used to, so have patience and give them time.

What if I never get used to wearing dentures?

If your dentures never start to feel comfortable or just feel like they just don't fit properly, speak to your dentist as they might need adjusting, or a denture reline.

New dentures might need more adjustments to get them fitting correctly. If your false teeth used to fit, but are now causing you discomfort, it may be that your mouth and jawbone have changed shape over time. Either way, make sure you speak to your dentist to get this resolved.