Immediately trying to chew could be very uncomfortable and potentially harm your sensitive gums, so give them a few days to get used to the dentures before progressing to solid food.
The good news is once you're used to wearing and chewing with dentures, and with a little help from the right adhesive, you can eat pretty much anything. Some foods can be trickier to eat because they are hard to chew or bite, have small hard particles, or are sticky, such as: Tough red meat.
It usually takes 3-4 weeks before you can master eating solid foods again. Once you return to solid foods, cut them into smaller than normal, bite-sized pieces in order to make chewing more comfortable and manageable.
While every person's experience can be different, it generally takes an average of 30 days to adjust to eating with new dentures. Some level of discomfort is normal and expected in the beginning, so be patient and give your jaw and gums the time they need to heal.
Learning to eat with new dentures requires time and patience. Before placing food in the mouth, bring the teeth together and swallow. This will help to seat the denture fully. Then place small bites of food in the mouth and chew it slowly on the side that seems the most natural and comfortable.
Make sure you're chewing straight up and down, not with a side-to-side motion, which can dislodge your dentures. Also try to bite completely through handheld foods like sandwiches rather than relying on a tearing motion to separate the bite you want, which could dislodge your dentures.
If your new dentures slip out of place, gently reposition them by biting down and swallowing. Over time, you'll learn to hold your dentures in place with the muscles in your cheeks and tongue. Denture adhesive is also helpful for keeping your dentures in place.
Generally you should wear your dentures for at least 8 hours a day. This will give your gums and jawbone time to get used to the dentures and prevent sore spots from developing. It is best to take them out at night so that your gums can rest.
Avoid certain foods in the beginning – When you're first learning to chew with your dentures, you should avoid eating foods that you have to bite into like pizzas and burgers. These types of foods can easily dislodge your dentures. Sticky foods might also be problematic for new denture wearers.
Poorly fitting dentures can also allow food to become trapped between the dentures and your gums, causing your gums to become irritated when eating or speaking. If you're experiencing persistent discomfort, speak to your dentist.
Foods and drinks that stain
To keep your dentures naturally white, try to avoid food and drink with strong pigments, such as tea and coffee, red wine, berries and dark sauces. Smoking should also be avoided, as it can stain dentures and increase the risks for many oral health and general health problems.
It's normal to develop sore spots during the first few days of wearing dentures. You may also have more saliva. Gum tissue contracts as it heals. For this reason, you may need to visit our office several times so your dentures fit comfortably.
Using Polident 3 Minute Daily Cleanser
Drop one tablet in enough very warm water (not hot) to cover the dentures. Soak for 3 minutes or overnight. Brush the dentures with the solution using a soft denture brush. Rinse thoroughly with running water.
All Polident variants are safe for the overnight soaking of dentures. It is important to note that Polident Overnight is specifically formulated to clean all night long and is ideal for overnight soaking and cleaning. Polident 5-Minute is also safe for overnight cleaning, and will not harm the denture.
In most cases, well-fitted and well-maintained dentures do not need adhesive. Even when fitted by a competent and experienced dentist, many people feel more secure with the added safety net of an adhesive, which provides additional stability and enhances their ability to bite into certain foods.
Denture pain can be caused by a number of factors. When a patient first gets dentures, it can take up to 30 days to get used to wearing the denture. During this time, patients may struggle with learning how to chew and speak with their new teeth, as well as experience soreness and pain on their gums from the denture.
In general, it takes around 6 to 8 weeks for the gums to heal after tooth extraction, so that the dental appliance can be placed.
Cleaning with a normal toothbrush and toothpaste can be abrasive and cause damages, leading to an increased chance of bacteria forming and a displeasing look to your dentures. Abrasive toothpaste can also increase stain adherence on dentures.
The first tip is simple: apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a damp cloth) on your cheek where your denture rests. The cold will numb that area and help reduce soreness. Some denture wearers find that soaking their mouth in warm saltwater helps relax muscles and relieve swelling.
Most types of dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape. Place the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight.
Dentures feel loose or move around
This means that the fit of your denture will become loose over time causing them to move or make a clacking sound while chewing. When they fit properly, dentures should feel secure in your mouth allowing you to eat and speak confidently.
Denture adhesives help to provide a strong, all-day hold which can prevent your dentures from becoming dislodged, and help you feel confident when biting into tougher foods. Eating with dentures also becomes easier as the adhesive can help to seal out food particles, ensuring they don't get stuck under your dentures.
There are any number of things you can do to help make dentures more comfortable: speaking to your dentist about possible minor adjustments to the fit (especially if your dentures are new), chewing food slowly, rinsing your mouth with saltwater are all options as well as cleaning your dentures daily.