Tips For Preventing Denture-Related Problems

Dentures make great replacements for missing teeth, but they do have their problems. Such problems include difficulty eating and soreness in the mouth. Most of these problems go away as you get used to wearing the dentures. Here are a few tips you can use to deal with these problems:

Ensure They Fit

Your dentures will give you more problems if they don't fit than if they fit. Your dentist will ensure that your dentures fit well the first time, but the situation will not stay like that for long. As you age, your gums and jawbones change, and this interferes with the fit of the dentures. This is why you may need periodic adjustments or even replacements of long-term dentures.

Keep Them Clean

Apart from preventing the transfer of germs to your mouth, keeping your dentures clean also helps to rid it of small particles that may irritate your soft gum tissues. Therefore, scrub your dentures after every meal, and rinse them with soapy or salty warm water. It's also a good idea to soak them in a denture cleaner overnight as part of the cleansing process.

Massage Your Mouth

When you remove your dentures, for example at night, massage the denture bearing areas carefully. You can use a soft, clean cloth or an extra soft toothbrush for this. Massaging the tissues not only boosts their blood circulation, it also helps to make them more resistant to opportunistic infections.

Watch What and How You Eat

You should be able to eat most type of foods, but you should stick to soft foods in the beginning as you get used to your dentures. It's also advisable to take small bites and chew your foods slowly. Don't subject your front teeth to bite-resistant foods such as apples. If you have to eat such foods, cut them up into small pieces and chew them with the back teeth. It's also wise to avoid chewing gum because it may stick to the dentures.

Practice Speaking

Difficulty in speaking is another common problem that denture wearers face.  It gets better with time, but you can hasten the process by speaking slowly and practicing when alone. Some words may be more difficult to pronounce than others; focus on these while practicing.

If your denture-related problems do not go away with time, then it is wise to consult your dentist because you may need readjustment. Specific problems that necessitate a consultation with your dentist include a sore mouth, aching jaw and other oral abnormalities/problems that persist for more than a few days.