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. You should also remove them for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
Immediate dentures are removable temporary dentures that were placed during your extraction procedure. Please keep the denture(s) in your mouth for the first 2 days and nights, removing them only for cleaning after 24 hours, unless otherwise specified by your dentist.
You should never wear your dentures 24 hours a day without preforming proper oral hygiene. Dentures should be cleaned at night and stored in water during the night.
It is recommended that no denture adhesive be used for up to 14 days after the extraction. This will allow for complete healing before applying adhesive for up to 14 days after the extraction. This will allow for complete healing before applying adhesive in the areas.
For the first 5 days, keep your denture in at all times except to clean. Avoid mouthwashes the first 5 days unless prescribed by your dentist; some mouthwashes may slow the healing process. You can use warm water rinses as described above during this time.
The swelling will slowly resolve over 4-7 days. Apply an ice bag to the outside of the face for 15-20 minutes, and then leave off for 15-20 minutes. Repeat for 24 hours, and then discontinue using the ice. This will reduce discomfort, bleeding and swelling.
You should leave your new denture in place for 24-48 hours, if possible. This allows the underlying tissues to better heal into the shape of your denture allowing for better stability.
Soak dentures overnight.
Most types of dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape. Place the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight. Check with your dentist about properly storing your dentures overnight.
Tips for First Time Denture Wearers
Choose liquids. You may feel a little uncomfortable chowing down on food, so go for soups, smoothies, puddings, applesauce and other liquefied food in those first few days. Take care with hot dishes. Hot liquid can burn your mouth.
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. What are your options if this has happened to you?
Dentures should be designed sufficiently thick because a few devices like acrylic denture base are flexible and rigid, depending on how thick the denture base is to provide strength and durability.
Toothpaste is not intended to be used for denture cleaning and as a result can actually be harmful to your dentures. Opt for a denture cleanser and brush instead.
Why Keep Dentures in Water. Whenever you are not wearing your partial or full dentures, it is important to always keep them submerged in water or denture solution. Otherwise, the acrylic can dry out over time and lose its shape, causing the dentures to become brittle and not fit as well.
It is possible to harm your oral health if you leave your dentures in for a long time. Plaque is more likely to accumulate on dentures and tongues of people who wear dentures all night long. You are more prone to gum disease, oral thrush, and bone loss if you wear your dentures for a long period without removing them.
Fortunately, it is possible and often easier than imagined. If someone's dentures were only out and not soaking for a few hours, reinserting them in the mouth can correct the problem. For this, a person's saliva does the trick in rehydrating them. While this might take a little bit of time, it usually works.
Any time dentures are going to be out of your mouth for an extended period of time, they should be kept in water or a denture solution. If they are allowed to dry out, they may become brittle and warped. Ideally, dentures should only be soaked overnight and put back in your mouth the following morning.
Most types of dentures will lose their shape if they are not kept moist. Therefore, when you take your dentures out of your mouth at night, you should store them in a liquid-filled container. What kind of liquid? Many individuals use plain tap water or distilled water to soak their dentures.
It is best to stick to soft foods requiring minimal chewing, such as applesauce, yogurt and pudding. Vitamin C and vitamin A help to support the healing process following a tooth extraction. Therefore, it is a good idea to eat foods rich in these nutrients.
Typically, you will wear the denture for the first 24 hours and sleep with it in place for the first night. This allows the denture to act as a bandage.
During your first few days with your immediate dentures, you will likely develop some sore spots. These occur due to uneven pressure on the denture. Adjustments are best made following three to six hours of continuous wear, as this helps your dental team identify the precise areas causing discomfort.
For example, a custom-made denture requires gums to heal for three to six months. During this time, gums will be allowed to heal and patients meet with their dentist for fittings and adjustments. This ensures that when the gums are healed and ready for the permanent dentures, they will be a perfect fit.
To help keep your dentures clean and your mouth healthy, it is vital to use an antibacterial mouthwash. Choose an antibacterial mouthwash that contains fluoride to help protect your enamel. It should also include an antibacterial agent to destroy bacteria and help prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Many mouthwashes contain alcohol (specifically ethanol) to kill bacteria. Soaking or cleaning your denture in mouthwash containing alcohol may make it bacteria-free, but it will also damage the acrylic base of your denture.