Adjusting to New Dentures

Start with soft foods to reduce pressure on your gums. Easy-to-chew foods will help you learn the best positions and movements to chew. Increased salivation is normal.

Practice makes perfect. Your tongue needs to get used to the amount of material in your mouth. Talking to yourself and reading out loud are good ways to improve.

The very back of the denture against the roof of your mouth is important for optimal suction. Unfortunately, this area is often the hardest part to tolerate due to stimulation of the gag reflex. Be persistent and optimistic that you will become desensitized with practice and time. Ask your dentist to thin and/or shorten this area if you are having difficulty acclimating.

Even with a well-made denture, glue may be required to achieve a satisfactory stick, especially with 1. bottom full-dentures or 2. partial-dentures replacing several back teeth. Fixodent or Polygrip is recommended for new dentures. Glue may increase comfort by minimizing denture shifting and providing a softer surface against your gums.

Denture tightness increases long-term stability and retention but causes short-term discomfort as your gums adjust to the increased pressure and friction. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (¼ teaspoon 1 cup water) to promote healing and ease discomfort.

Wear your denture as much as possible for a few days and then return to your dentist for adjustments as often as needed. Oftentimes the smallest change can make the biggest difference.

It takes time to adjust to wearing dentures. Don't get discouraged if you don't feel comfortable right away. Just keep practicing and using your dentures as often as possible; eventually you’ll become a pro. The more you wear them, the faster you will adjust to them.