Dentures are meant to fit snug against your gums so you might have a sore jaw or gums and might also experience trouble speaking at first. After you receive your dentures you will have a follow up with your dentist to see how they are fitting and if there needs to be adjustments made.
Dentures should fit comfortably in your mouth and not be too tight or too loose. If they are too tight, they can cause pain and discomfort. If they are too loose, they may slip out of your mouth or become damaged. To ensure that your dentures fit well, you should visit your dentist regularly for adjustments.
New dentures can take around two to four weeks to settle properly. It's not unusual to experience some tenderness or discomfort at first. Here's a guide on how to prevent prolonged discomfort, and why you may experience it.
If your dentures start to loosen, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to get them fixed. Your dentist can adjust the dentures to adjust them perfectly in your mouth. However, if your bone resorption is occurring at a fast rate, you will have to see your dentist frequently for adjustments.
Ill-fitting dentures can cause soreness, swelling and even an increased risk of infection – so if you're noticing problems, it's best to contact your dentist as soon as possible to check if you need to get your prosthesis refitted.
Generally speaking, if dentures are properly fitted, denture adhesive is not necessary to keep them in place. If you feel that you need something to help your full or partial dentures stay in place, speak to your dentist about having your dentures refitted before attempting to fix the issue with adhesive.
As the jawbone shrinks, becoming smaller in both height and width, the gum ridge it supports shrinks too. 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.
Common conditions you may experience at first
Many people say their dentures feel bulky and too big for their mouths. Others report that the new dentures feel too loose. Saliva production increases and your gums and jaw muscles may feel sore and tired. With time, these issues typically resolve on their own.
To make the dentures fit better, visit your dentist or denturist for an adjustment. A dental professional can thin the bulk of material at the back end of the denture. They can also shorten the acrylic slightly, allowing for more distance between the end of the denture and the trigger point for your gag reflex.
New denture wearers will begin to feel more 'normal' after about 30 days. During this time, you can expect to have some soreness and discomfort as your mouth heals and you become accustomed to having a foreign object in 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.
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.
Ways to Fix Dentures That Are Too Big For Your Teeth
The first and foremost solution of dealing with dentures that are too big is relining. The initial steps that experts take in fixing a bigger-sized denture are to reline them. But, if the dentures are too big, then a replacement becomes the only viable solution.
Permanent Dentures: In general, permanent dentures are a more comfortable and better fit than temporary options and can typically last for years without further adjustments. Despite being more expensive, permanent dentures offer a better fit and better durability.
Ideally, your dentures should support your lips and cheeks, but if they are too large, they can actually push your dentures outward, resulting in puffy lips and cheeks. The correct fitting of dentures can usually prevent this, but the denture flanges that go around the gums can cause puffiness for some people.
Normally, upper dentures cover the top of the mouth so thoroughly that a person's ability to taste and experience their food is diminished, not to mention hamper proper function.
There is no rule against brushing your dentures without removing them. Doing so is unlikely to cause any harm as long as you use a very soft-bristled brush and avoid abrasive cleaning agents.
Bottom dentures have a reputation for being notoriously loose. You'd think that gravity alone would help keep them in place. But lower dentures don't have the luxury of adhering to a large surface area of stationary anatomy. They also have to combat a tongue moving up, down, and all around, serving to dislodge them.
You can use proprietary denture cleaning tablets or solutions ( eg. Steradent) to help loosen and remove stains and deposits. However, you should avoid leaving the dentures in the solution overnight. A 10-minute soak once or twice a week should be sufficient.
Many people who wear dentures struggle with sticky foods, such as chewing gum. If you are worried about your dentures slipping, swapping your chewing gum habit for no-sugar breath mints is a good way to keep dentures securely in place. You can also use mouthwash after meals to freshen breath as an alternative to gum.
Using Polident 3 Minute Daily Cleanser
Drop one tablet in enough very warm water (not hot) to cover the dentures. Soak for 3 minutes or overnight.