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For people wearing dentures

You have received new dentures

  • The anatomical characteristics of the oral cavity and the patient’s ability to adapt are of great importance in how the dentures fit.

  • New dentures are always different from your own teeth or previous dentures, so they may seem unfamiliar or even uncomfortable at first.

  • The new dentures are often bigger and with wider borders than the previous dentures, since new dentures must restore the jaw changes and bite height that have occurred in the mouth.

Getting used to new dentures

  • Getting used to dentures takes time and patience.

  • Keep removable dentures in your mouth continuously during the day.

  • If dentures are not worn all the time, they may become unusable because the shape of the mouth also changes over time (teeth shift, the jawbone lowers).

  • When wearing dentures, you can use denture adhesive (available in pharmacies) to achieve better stability in the mouth.

  • It is very rare that dentures fit in the mouth immediately without chafing or discomfort. It is therefore important to visit a dentist in the first months of wearing to adjust the dentures.

Speaking

  • Learn to speak clearly with the dentures.

  • The muscles of the mouth and tongue get used to the new dentures faster if you read texts in a clear and loud voice to practice.

  • Dentures may wobble if you speak too fast or if you don’t swallow for too long.

Eating

  • With new dentures, it is necessary to change biting and chewing habits.

  • You have to spare more time to eat.

  • At first, eat soft food and put smaller pieces in your mouth.

  • Both sides of the mouth should be used to chew food to avoid excessive continuous load on one side of the mouth.

  • If the incisors (the four front teeth) are dentures, then avoid using them to bite solid food.

Dentures cause pain

  • See your dentist as soon as possible if your dentures chafe or hurt. Wear dentures for at least two hours before coming to the dentist so that the dentist could see the area where the dentures chafe.

  • Visit the dentist to adjust or repair your dentures. You should never file chafing dentures, tighten denture clamps, or glue broken dentures yourself.

Cleaning dentures

  • Clean dentures at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, with either dishwashing detergent or natural soap, warm water and a brush. Do not use toothpaste to clean dentures, as the abrasive particles in toothpaste will scratch the prosthesis materials, creating microscopic furrows where bacteria can easily attach.

  • Clean both the inside and outside of the dentures with a brush.

  • At least once a week, use denture cleaning tablets, which are available in pharmacies.

  • If possible, rinse the dentures with water after each meal.

  • Be sure to brush your teeth (even just one tooth) with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

  • Have the dentist remove permanent sediment deposited on the dentures.

  • Inadequate and incorrect cleaning of dentures can lead to plaque and tartar deposits.

  • Food particles trapped under dentures or between clamps can cause bad breath.

Take care of your dentures. Avoid dropping the dentures – dentures are delicate and can break easily.

Visit the dentist once a year to have your dentures checked, adjusted, if necessary, minor defects corrected or cleaned.

NB! Please keep your dentures in a moist environment.