Dentures (English)

Instructions for Patients with Dentures

1. New Dentures will feel uncomfortable at first.  Start slow at first by eating soft foods and taking small bites.  Try to chew foods on both sides of the back teeth at the same time.
2. You will get sore spots in your mouth.  When this occurs, you should call the dental clinic right away to schedule a time for an adjustment.  Never try to “fix” the dentures yourself.
3. Try not to invite comments about your new dentures for at least one week after wearing them.  It takes about this long for your mouth to become accustomed to the feel of the dentures.
4. Learning to talk with new dentures requires practice and patience.  Reading aloud is a good way to learn.
5. Dentures should be cleaned after every meal with a denture brush and warm water (not hot water).  They should be soaked at night in a cleaning solution such as Polident or Efferdent, etc.  Be sure to follow the directions on the package.
6. To avoid damage or loss of dentures, the following precautions should be followed:
   1. Do not wrap dentures in a tissue, paper towel etc. when you take them out of your mouth. Keep them in a denture container with water.
7. If you feel that you may throw up, remove your dentures.
8. Don’t leave your dentures where children or pets can reach them.
9. Don’t try to repair or reline your own dentures.
10. If your dentures should break, bring all of the pieces to the dental clinic for repair.
11. Shrinkage of the ridges or gums under the dentures will occur.  This shrinkage will vary from person to person according to health and age.  A dentist should evaluate this at least once a year.  When the time is right, a reline or rebase can be done.
12. Finally, you will not learn to use your teeth unless you wear them.  The younger patient usually adapts to dentures quicker.  A lot of time and expense has been invested in your dentures.  Now you will need to invest your own determination, practice and patience.