Your First 30 Days Wearing Dentures
It'll take some time to get used to wearing your new dentures. The good news is that our dentist and staff are ready to help you on your journey.
We do everything in our power to ensure your dentures fit comfortably and look natural. But there are also things you can do at home to help make your transition smoother.
Here's what you can expect during your first 30 days of wearing dentures.
First 24 Hours
As the name suggests, you can wear immediate dentures immediately after extracting teeth. If we need to extract teeth, we may prescribe you pain relievers and antibiotics to take as directed while the site heals.
It’s important that you don’t remove your dentures during the first 24 hours so the gums have a chance to heal.
Your full dentures act much like a bandaid during your first day. This is why you’ll even need to wear your dentures to bed.
After 24 hours, remove your dentures before going to sleep. That way, your gums have a chance to rest and stay healthy. Your gums were never designed to support dentures 24/7, which is why you need to give them breaks.
The extraction sites will be sore. As such, we recommend eating soft foods like mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese.
First 2 Weeks
Once 24 hours have passed since , return to our office so we can remove your dentures.
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 well and look natural.
If it's uncomfortable to eat, supplement your meals with a protein-rich drink.
After 2 Weeks
It takes time for your gums, cheeks, and tongue to adjust to wearing an oral appliance. But after a couple of weeks have passed, you’ll notice fewer sore spots in your mouth and less saliva.
Don’t hesitate to call our office if you need your full or partial dentures adjusted. We’d be more than happy to set up a time for you.
It’ll take some time for you to get used to eating and talking with dentures. If you lisp while you talk, read aloud from your favorite book. We also recommend keeping a running list of words that give you difficulty.
The more you speak with your dentures, the easier it’ll become over time.
Denture Care
Take care of your dentures like you would natural teeth. For example, you’ll need to brush your dentures twice a day to remove plaque and prevent bad odor.
Submerge your dentures in water or denture cleaner when you’re not wearing them so they don’t dry out.
If you’re wearing full dentures, you won’t have any natural teeth left. But it’s still important to keep your gums healthy by brushing them twice a day.
About 47.2% of Americans age 30 and older have periodontal disease, according to the .
Don’t be one of them. While you’re here, be sure to check out our 5 tips for healthy teeth and gums.
Request an Appointment With Us
Dr. Dodds can help you explore your tooth replacement options, including dentures. To request an appointment, please call Renew Family Dental at (616) 245-3205.
This blog post has been updated.