For prosthesis wearers
Smile with confidence – prosthesis care and adaptation
You have received a new dental prosthesis
- The fit of a prosthesis is highly dependent on the anatomical characteristics of the oral cavity and the patient’s ability to adapt.
- A new dental prosthesis is always different from natural teeth or a previous prosthesis, which may make it feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable at first.
- The new dental prostheses are often larger and have wider borders than the previous ones, as they must compensate for changes in the jaw and restore the correct bite height.
Getting used to a new dental prosthesis
- Getting used to a dental prosthesis requires 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).
- To improve retention, denture adhesive can be used (available at pharmacies).
- It is very rare for a prosthesis to fit perfectly right away without causing discomfort or irritation. That is why it is essential to visit your dentist for adjustments during the first few months of wearing it.
Speaking
- Learn to speak clearly with your prosthesis.
- Your mouth and tongue muscles will adapt to the new prosthesis faster if you practise by reading texts aloud in a clear and loud voice.
- The prosthesis may become loose if you speak too quickly or go too long without swallowing.
Eating
- You will need to adjust your biting and chewing habits with a new prosthesis.
- Eating will take more time at first.
- Initially, eat soft foods and take smaller bites.
- Chew using both sides of your mouth to avoid excessive strain on one side.
- If your front teeth (four incisors) are part of the prosthesis, avoid biting into hard foods with them.
Pain from the prosthesis
- 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 your prosthesis
- 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.
