Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “Tips For Eating With Dentures“. The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

^[1]Treating Denture Problems

If you have problems with your dentures, see your dentist right away. Your dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced.

Here Are Some Ways To Treat Various Denture Problems:

Make sure your dentures fit. Over time, your gums and bones will change and your dentures won’t fit as well. When this happens, your dentures need to be adjusted, modified, or replaced by your dentist. Never try to adjust your dentures yourself.

Speak slowly. When you first get dentures, it may be hard for you to say certain words. Be patient. Practice saying the challenging words aloud and speak slowly. If your dentures move around when you laugh or smile, gently bite down and swallow to put them back in place. Check with your dentist to adjust the fit.

Eat Soft Foods. If You Are Having Trouble Eating, Follow These Tips:

• Take small bites of soft foods, such as eggs and yogurt.
• Don’t eat anything sticky.
• Chew your food slowly.

When you chew, use both sides of your mouth at the same time. This prevents your dentures from moving forward or tipping.

Eating will become easier as you get used to your dentures. In time, you should be able to eat most foods.

Use an adhesive. Denture adhesives help your dentures stay in place and make them feel more secure. But denture adhesives should not be used to fix old or poorly fitting dentures – and should generally be avoided. When using an adhesive, follow the instructions carefully. Use only a small amount.

Mouth Infections Linked To Dentures

Some people who wear dentures get mouth infections, such as:

Cheilitis. This is a painful infection that causes inflammation and cracking at the corners of your mouth. It is caused by an overgrowth of yeast. Yeast can accumulate in moist areas of your mouth if your dentures don’t fit properly.

To prevent cheilitis (also called cheilosis), see your dentist regularly to make sure your dentures fit properly. Also, try not to rub or lick the corners of your mouth.

Stomatitis. This is another infection that is caused by too much yeast. You may not know you have denture-induced stomatitis, because symptoms are not always obvious. When symptoms are noticeable, you may see small red bumps on the roof of your mouth or general mouth redness, especially under your upper dentures.

Both cheilitis and stomatitis can be treated with medicine and proper denture care.

Caring For Your Dentures

Along with making sure they fit well, it is important to take good care of your dentures. Here are some tips to keep your dentures working and looking their best.

^[2]Types Of Dentures

There Are Two Main Types Of Removable Dentures:

Full dentures – are used when all of the teeth in one jaw are missing. These dentures are made from plastic.

Partial dentures – are made when there are some teeth missing, but other natural teeth remain. The denture replaces only the teeth that are missing. These dentures can be made from plastic, metal, or a combination of both. They usually have little metal clasps which rest or grip on the natural teeth to hold the denture in place. It is important for your remaining teeth to be in good health, to support the part denture.

Making Dentures

Dentures can be made for you by a dentist, dental prosthetist (advanced dental technician) or specialist prosthodontist.

Dentures are made specially to fit your mouth. This often means several dental visits before the denture is finished to make sure that accurate measurements are taken and the denture fits well.

There Are Several Ways To Have Dentures Made:

If you have recently had teeth removed, measurements usually start about three months after your teeth have been taken out. This allows time for the gum and bone to heal and settle and means that the denture should be a better fit from the start. The oral health professional will also check that any remaining teeth are healthy to hold the denture.

If you have had missing teeth for a while, denture measurements will start after the oral health professional has checked that all your remaining teeth are healthy and can support a denture.

Immediate dentures may be considered when you do not wish to be without teeth for two to three months. Denture measurements begin before the teeth are taken out so that the dentures are ready to be put in at the same time your teeth are removed. Changes to the bone after the teeth are removed may cause the denture to become loose over time and it may need to be adjusted and “relined” within a few months to improve the fit. Sometimes, they made need to be remade if there is a lot of bone shrinkage.

Dentures may need to be replaced after a period of time, usually several years, as your gums change with age.

Your oral health professional can suggest which options might be best for you, based on your particular circumstances.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

1. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/common-denture-problems ↑

2. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dentures ↑