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Living with dentures can be a huge adjustment. Your diet, oral hygiene routine and even social activities may need to be adapted to accommodate your new dental prosthetic. However, this is simply an opportunity to maintain your lifestyle differently; you don’t have to let go of the things that make life enjoyable! With proper maintenance and attention, you can wear dentures without sacrificing comfort or confidence – you need some tips on how to manage them. We hope that by providing helpful advice on maintaining your lifestyle with dentures, we can help make this transition easier for you.
Understanding the Basics of Dentures
Dentures (false teeth) come in two types: full and partial. Full dentures are preferred when all of your teeth are missing, while partial dentures are suggested when one or more of your real teeth are intact. Partial dentures can be removable or fixed in place. The type of denture you require will depend on your oral hygiene and the number of missing teeth.
How do Dentures Work?
Dentures, or false teeth, are custom-made to fit your mouth, creating a snug and comfortable fit. They are typically made from acrylic resin, with metal or plastic clasps to hold them in place. Full dentures cover the entire roof of your mouth, while partial dentures use your remaining teeth as an anchor so that natural teeth remain intact. Full or partial dentures are removed daily to be cleaned and should be soaked in a special solution overnight.
Adjusting to Dentures
Adjusting to dentures can take some time, especially transitioning from natural teeth. Eating and speaking may feel awkward or uncomfortable initially, but you’ll soon adapt with patience. Your dentures may also need to be adjusted to ensure a proper fit.
What to Expect from Dentures?
Complete dentures are an excellent solution to restore teeth and promote the quality of life. They can improve your appearance, self-confidence, and ability to eat and speak.
Adjusting Your Diet for Comfort and Nutrition
This section will explore how to adjust your diet to improve comfort and nutrition as a denture wearer.
Start soft and easy
When starting with dentures, the mouth gets used to the change, and the gums adjust to the new contours. This is an important time to take slowly when eating and picking soft, easy-to-chew foods. Applying gentle pressure on the area of the mouth where teeth are missing is recommended to help the gums recover from the shock of the new dentures.
Cut your food into smaller pieces
Chewing food can be challenging with dentures, especially food items that require much chewing. To make things easier, it’s recommended to cut your food into small, bite-sized pieces to aid digestion and reduce the chances of food getting stuck underneath the denture. Smaller chunks of food are easier to chew, and it is less likely to shift around when you try to chew.
Stick to soft and cooked foods
Some foods are naturally easier to chew and break down than others.
Cooked vegetables and soft fruits like bananas and strawberries are great choices for people with dentures because they are easy to digest and chew.
Avoid large, tough meats that require a lot of chewing and can be difficult to swallow without your dentures shifting around. Experimenting with different types of cooked foods can also give you a good advantage when selecting meals.
Avoid sticky or hard foods
Sticky or hard foods are two of the most difficult to eat with dentures. Sticky foods can get stuck between the teeth, leaving behind residue that can eventually cause problems, while hard foods can place pressure on the sensitive gums and cause discomfort. Avoiding foods include chewy candies and dense foods such as popcorn, nuts, and sticky sweets. Although tempting, biting hard food will lead to a misaligned denture.
Hydrate with water regularly
Drinking water regularly can improve both the digestive system and oral health. Research shows drinking water right after every meal can help clean teeth, prevent the staining of dentures, and flush out any small debris and food particles under the denture. Keeping water with you will also encourage you to stay hydrated, maintaining your oral health intact.
Oral Hygiene Routine for Cleaner, Fresher Breath
This section will explore the top oral hygiene routines you can follow to achieve cleaner, fresher breath while wearing dentures.
Clean your dentures daily
Denture cleaning is mandatory to prevent bad breath and gum disease. Firstly, brush your dentures under running water to remove any food debris. Then, soak dentures in a denture cleaning solution for 10-15 minutes to remove the stains and bacteria. After that, brush your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse them under water again.
Maintain good oral hygiene
Oral hygiene is not just about rinsing your complete dentures. You should also maintain your teeth, mouth, and gums. To remove the food particles properly, cleaning your gums and teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush is essential. Floss your teeth or use interdental brushes to clean between the teeth. Wash your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria and maintain fresh breath.
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
Soft tissues in the mouth can get severely damaged by drinking and smoking. Moreover, they can stain your dentures and affect their fit. Hence it’s advised to limit smoking and alcohol. If you cannot avoid them, try limiting your intake and washing your mouth with water or mouthwash after consuming them.
Visit your prosthetist regularly
It is important to visit your Prosthetist regularly, even if you wear removable dentures. Your dental prosthetist can examine your mouth and check for infections or oral health problems. They can also adjust your dentures if they are loose or uncomfortable. Furthermore, they can recommend the best oral hygiene routine based on your denture type and oral condition.
Eat a balanced diet
A healthy and balanced diet can enhance oral health and overall well-being. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake for plenty of vitamins and mineral supply. Avoid acidic and sugary foods as they can cause tooth decay and damage your mouth.
Tips for Socialising with Dentures
In this section, we’ll share some helpful tips to help you enjoy your social life to the fullest.
Practise speaking beforehand
It’s important to practise speaking with dentures before attending an important event. This will help you to become used to speaking with them and help fix any denture issues beforehand. Remember, speaking with dentures will be slightly different, but it will become second nature with patience, time, and practice.
Choose your food wisely
While eating with dentures may make some people nervous, there are some foods that can be easier to eat than others.
Soft foods like eggs, ripe fruits, and well-cooked vegetables are great options.
Avoid chewy, sticky, and hard foods, such as nuts, chewy candy, or caramel, as they can cause your dentures to become loose or break.
Invest in denture adhesive
A denture adhesive cream can help keep your dentures securely in your mouth. A denture glue can give you much-needed confidence while speaking or eating. Make sure to choose an ointment suitable for your denture type, and always follow the instructions carefully.
Keep a water bottle handy
If you feel self-conscious wearing your dentures in public, drinking water is a great way to break up the tension. Drinking water helps to lubricate your mouth, making your dentures feel more comfortable in the process.
Smile with confidence
Having dentures should not affect your ability to be confident and happy. Remember, you have a full set of teeth, and your smile can be just as charming with dentures as it was before. Always maintain a positive attitude, and don’t let self-doubt take away the joy of socialising.
Conclusion
Maintaining a great lifestyle with dentures is a real possibility. From ensuring that you look your best to preventing whistling or slurring when you talk, having the right dentures can help improve your life in many ways. If you would like assistance finding suitable dentures or dental implants, please do not hesitate to contact us at the numbers below. Our qualified professionals will answer your queries and address any concerns arising during this life-changing decision. With the right choice of denture solutions, you can confidently transition back into a comfortable lifestyle with beautiful smiles without feeling self-conscious.
Buderim: (07) 5317 1023
Caloundra: (07) 5315 8076
References
Living With Dentures When You’re Young | Colgate®
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dentures/living-with-dentures-when-youre-young
Denture Care: How to Properly Clean and Maintain Your False Teeth
https://www.healthline.com/health/denture-care
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