Partial dentures are used to replace missing teeth. They use replacement teeth that are attached to a gum-colored acrylic base or held in place by dental implants. Wearing new partial dentures means getting used to a little bit of oral discomfort as one’s mouth adjusts to the dentures. Fortunately, the discomfort does not last for a long time.
Before discussing how to get used to living with partial dentures, it is important to understand the type of discomfort the patient will feel when they start using them for the first time.
The simple act of inserting and removing the dentures will take some practice before it can be done with ease. The metal clasps holding the dentures in place can be difficult to reach, especially if they are in the back of the mouth.
Chewing food will also be difficult at first. The artificial teeth are not connected to the nerves that the natural teeth were connected to. That makes it difficult to know how much pressure to use when attempting to chew food.
The partial dentures will also feel uncomfortable and bulky in the mouth. But, that can be fixed by asking the dentist to make adjustments to improve the fit.
The dentures will feel uncomfortable for the first few weeks. But, the patient will start getting used to them when the cheek muscles and tongue adjust and learn to keep them in place. There will also be some irritation and excess saliva flow at the beginning, but they will diminish gradually as the patient’s mouth adjusts to the dentures.
As previously mentioned, chewing food will be difficult for the first few weeks as the patient gets used to the dentures. Dentists recommend starting out with soft foods that are cut into small pieces. Then gradually moving on to other types of foods when they get more comfortable chewing with the partial dentures.
Chewing food is also easier when the patient uses both sides of the mouth to chew the food evenly. Even after they get used to chewing with partial dentures, dentists advise against eating hard foods and candy as well as staying away from sticky foods to avoid damaging their dentures.
Speaking with the partial dentures will also take some getting used to. But, most people learn to speak properly with the dentures in their mouths by reading out loud and repeating the words that are giving them problems until they can pronounce them properly.
To avoid damaging the dentures and to give the patient some time to rest their jaws, dentists recommend taking them out before going to sleep and putting them back in their mouth in the morning.
Partial dentures take a little while to get used to. But when you do, you can return to eating your regular diet and speaking without impediment. If you have a few missing teeth and want to replace them, then talk to your dentist about getting partial dentures.
Request an appointment here: https://www.yourdowntownmckinneydentist.com or call Sam Patel DDS, PA at (972) 638-5848 for an appointment in our McKinney office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Finding an emergency dentist as soon as possible in a dental emergency is essential when dealing with sudden tooth pain, trauma, or other urgent dental issues. Delayed treatment can lead to worsening conditions, increased pain, or even permanent damage. Choosing the right provider ensures that emergency care is both timely and effective. Here are three…
Consistent oral hygiene is essential for promoting strong oral health. While responsibly caring for your mouth deserves attention throughout the day, oral hygiene basics before sleep is essential in keeping your teeth and gums healthy over time.Regularly practicing strong oral hygiene habits before bed can make a world of difference in the health of your…
Tooth pain can feel overwhelming while waiting to see an emergency dentist. That is why it is crucial to have a plan for controlling pain until one can get to a dentist. Though home remedies are not a substitute for professional care, they can help ease the pain until treatment is available.Tooth pain can result…
The oral hygiene basics that you need to practice to keep your teeth looking clean and your breath fresh will also protect your teeth from cavities. Good cleaning habits and consistency about your oral care regimen can spare teeth from the damage and decay that causes cavities to form. Here are a few key practices…