Dentures can make a massive difference in the lives of people who are missing teeth, completely transforming how you look and feel day-to-day. That said, like any change in your life, it’ll take some time to adjust to everything that dentures have to offer.
It usually takes patients around a month to get used to how it feels to wear dentures, and for their prosthetic to feel completely comfortable. If you want to know what you’re in for, here’s what you can expect from the first few weeks of wearing dentures.
The First 24 Hours Of Wearing Dentures
Typically, your dentist will recommend that you wear your dentures for the full first 24 hours in order to protect any extraction wounds. This is the only time that you should do this—afterward, you should plan to take out your prosthetic every night.
You’re naturally going to be dealing with sore spots and swelling, so rely on over-the-counter pain relievers to stay comfortable. Be sure to avoid eating anything that could potentially irritate your gums unduly.
The First Weeks of Wearing Dentures
Once the swelling starts to go down, you’ll be spending a lot of time working with your dentist to ensure that the fit of your prosthetic is just right. Your gums will still be getting used to the dentures, but having them lined to fit your jaw will make that process substantially easier and reduce the number of denture sores you have to deal with.
As the swelling fades, you should be sure to have your dentures relined until they fit perfectly. You may need several of these, depending on the situation you’re in.
The First Month Of Wearing Dentures
After that, the name of the game will be just getting used to living with your new prosthetic. While dentures can make eating easier, it’s not going to feel that way at first—it’ll take some time before you figure out what you can eat and how to chew properly.
Many patients also experience a little bit of difficulty speaking with their new prosthetic. With practice this will get easier, but in the meantime, you should spend as much time as you can reading aloud and paying attention to any words that give you difficulty.
About the Author
Dr. Ryan Bygness has been practicing dentistry for well over 25 years, and there’s still nothing he loves more than being able to welcome new patients and families to his practice. For just about any issue that you could have with your smile, he has the tools necessary to help you. Dr. Bygness received his degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, and obtained his orthodontic certificate from the American Orthodontic Society.
If you have any questions about dentures, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (712) 263-3252.