New denture wearers will begin to feel more 'normal' after about 30 days. During this time, you can expect to have some soreness and discomfort as your mouth heals and you become accustomed to having a foreign object in your mouth.
It can take a few weeks to adjust to dentures, but once your mouth is strong, you can eat just about any food. There will always be some foods that aren't denture-friendly, like chewing gum, popcorn, whole nuts, steak, and sticky candy.
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.
In addition to taste buds getting weaker with age, wearing dentures can result in some flavor loss due to: The upper denture covering your upper-hard palate, which contains the taste buds. Food debris becoming stuck in your dentures and leaving an unpleasant taste. Overuse of denture adhesive.
New denture wearers find that chewing feels different with them. Sometimes, a person may think that food has lost its flavor. While a person is adjusting to wearing them, the mind receives strong signals from the mouth about them, which overpowers messages from the taste buds.
First things first, call your dentist. They should be able to get you in for an appointment right away. After the dentist examines your mouth, they can determine which option is best for you. It may be as simple as repairing or replacing your dentures.
Doughy foods, such as breads will stick to dentures and should be eaten with liquids. When trying to eat a sandwich, cookies or any other food that is generally bitten down on with the front teeth and torn off, the denture can dislodge.
It will take your tongue, lips and cheeks several days or even weeks to get used to the shape of your new dentures. Any problems usually resolve themselves within a short time. During this stage, you will play a more active role in adapting to your new dentures than your clinical dental technician.
Once you are fully adjusted to wearing dentures, you should be able to eat almost anything. However, there may be some foods that will always be difficult to eat, such as food that is hard, sticky, or tough. Even with a strong mouth and well-fitting dentures, there are some foods you may wish to banish from your diet.
Hard foods: Chewing hard foods require your jaw and dentures to apply uneven pressure. This can dislodge or damage your dentures, so avoid nuts, popcorn, apples, raw carrot sticks and corn on the cob. Tough meats: Foods that require a lot of chewing place unnecessary stress on your dentures and gums.
Check with your dentist to make sure your dentures fit properly – Sometimes, dentures need adjustments to create a more natural fit. If you find yourself having trouble chewing and eating even after the initial adjustment period, you should always check in with your dentist.
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.
Practice speaking while wearing dentures
It is common for new denture wearers to lisp when speaking. For patients to regain their normal speech, they need time to train the muscles in their mouth. It is recommended that patients practice by speaking aloud, like the words they find hard to pronounce.
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. You should also remove them for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
If you have these types of fittings on your denture you may find you can chew regular gum. If not, and your denture is slightly looser then Wrigley's make a chewing gum called Freedent, this is designed to be less sticky.
Salty Snacks
If you find yourself craving something salty, remember that hard, sharp, or jagged pieces don't play nicely with dentures and can be uncomfortable if lodged in your mouth. Rather than reaching for chips or popcorn, lighter foods like crackers or vegetable sticks with dip are a better alternative.
Dentures are an important part of dentistry and can be needed at any age. There's no reason to be embarrassed of denture implants because odds are some people you know have them, and you don't even realize.
New denture wearers can face a difficult transition
New patients may have unrealistic expectations for their new dentures,1 and the transition from natural teeth can be traumatic.
The most common complaint we hear from denture wearers is that no matter how much adhesive they use, the dentures simply don't stay in place. Dentures have a tendency to slip, fall out when you're eating or talking and because of this they cause you embarrassment in front of friends, family and even worse, strangers.
Because dentures rest on that gum ridge and are customized to fit its shape and size, dentures loosen as this happens, and for many patients, end up feeling too big for their mouths.
For example, a custom-made denture requires gums to heal for three to six months. During this time, gums will be allowed to heal and patients meet with their dentist for fittings and adjustments. This ensures that when the gums are healed and ready for the permanent dentures, they will be a perfect fit.