On occasion, some residual swelling may last a week or longer. If you are wearing an immediate denture and have to remove it withing the first 48 hours, you may not be able to replace it in your mouth for several days due to this swelling.
If heavy bleeding continues, remove the denture and bite on folded gauze pads firmly for 1–2 hours. Swelling usually reaches a maximum in 2–3 days. For the first 1–2 days, ice applied to the outside of the face over the areas of extraction can help reduce swelling. Sleeping with the head elevated can minimize swelling.
In addition, if your dentures don't fit together properly, you can get puffy lips and cheeks. Your full or partial dentures may force your jaw forward or to the side, making it appear out of position and that your cheeks and lips are swollen if you have a severe bite.
Some swelling is normal after oral surgery. For most people, it increases for 2 or 3 days and then starts to go down after that. If your swelling and pain increase after 3 days, call the clinic for an appointment. You will have the most discomfort when feel- ing starts to return to your mouth.
In the First 30 Days
It takes time for your gums, cheeks, and tongue to adjust to wearing an oral appliance. However, after a couple of weeks have passed, you'll notice fewer sore spots in your mouth and less saliva. Don't hesitate to call our office if you need your dentures adjusted.
New dentures are not often tight at the moment of fitting. You should allow between 5 to 8 hours for your dentures to settle into your mouth, when this happens they become tighter.
If your dentures are too big or short, your face might look puffy. Dentures that don't fit properly can affect the alignment of your chin and make your face look lopsided. During your visit to the Neenah, WI, dental office, your dentist will help you find dentures that fit well and enhance your appearance.
Alternate placing ice packs on your cheek for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off to reduce swelling. Avoid spitting, smoking, and using a straw for at least a week, so you don't inadvertently dislodge the blood clot.
Dentures can, indeed, alter your face shape. But, the truth is that dentures may change your face shape for the better. It is noteworthy to remember that a custom set of dentures have the competency to restore your face to immaculate proportions and provide you with a more youthful and symmetrical appearance.
When you wear complete dentures, and all your natural teeth are missing, bone shrinkage occurs. A lack of bone to support your facial muscles can affect your face shape. Additionally, dentures rest on your jawbone and make the bone shrink faster.
The short answer is yes, dentures can definitely change the shape of your face. But if you've been missing teeth or dealing with bad, ill-fitting dentures, the change may be for the better.
Generally you should wear your dentures for at least 8 hours a day. This will give your gums and jawbone time to get used to the dentures and prevent sore spots from developing. It is best to take them out at night so that your gums can rest.
Because dentures rest on that gum ridge and are customized to fit its shape and size, dentures loosen as this happens, and for many patients, end up feeling too big for their mouths.
You may begin taking liquids or soft foods almost immediately. Most people progress slowly to a regular diet. This will generally take 10 days to several weeks depending upon your ability to tolerate the new denture, as well as the discomfort that you may experience when chewing with your new teeth.
Swelling is common after certain dental procedures, particularly tooth removal (extraction) and periodontal surgery. Holding an ice pack—or better yet, a plastic bag of frozen peas or corn (which adapts to the shape of the face)—to the cheek can prevent much of the swelling.
Drink More Water
Sometimes the solution to puffiness or swelling is more water. When you're dehydrated, your body's cells and tissues absorb water and hold onto it. This may lead to puffiness. As you drink up, the cells release the stored-up water and help the swelling subside.
An NSAID, such as ibuprofen, may also help with the pain and swelling if not contraindicated. If the swelling doesn't improve or is associated with a more serious injury such as a broken bone, a traumatic head injury or concussion, you should contact your health care provider or go to the emergency department.
For cases of allergic and idiopathic angioedema, antihistamines and oral steroids (steroid tablets) can be used to relieve the swelling.
If you want to know if your dentures will feel normal, the answer is yes. You may have recently gotten the teeth, or perhaps you are considering getting them. You might want to know what to expect. The good news is that today's prosthetics feel more natural than ever, and you can get accustomed to them quickly.
The only way a denture wearer can prevent facial collapse is to support the dentures with dental implants. Two to eight dental implants can be surgically implanted in the jawbone, and dentures are secured to them.
Ill-fitting dentures can rub against the gums, causing painful irritation and inflammation. They can also put a strain on your jaw and facial muscles when you are eating and speaking, an issue that can exacerbate or even cause TMJ dysfunction.
The truth is, after you get your first set of dentures, they will likely feel a little large. However, your mouth and cheek muscles should get used to them after about a month. If after a few months you're still struggling to speak and eat, your dentures may be too big.