For many people, dentures can restore missing teeth and self-confidence. Many people find that maintaining a lifestyle after dentures is not difficult to manage. Preparation before getting dentures involves many things to consider, including proper cleaning, overnight storage, and what types of food to keep stocked in the pantry.
Dentures are available at Smile Solutions in Pittsburg, and the surrounding area. Our team can help you learn more about dentures and how to prepare for them. Call us today at 620-317-0286 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Preparing Your Home Before Getting Dentures
Foods that are soft and easy to chew are key. Here are some suggestions for meals and snacks:
- Breakfast. Scrambled eggs, smoothies, grits, muffins, and bagels cut into pieces.
- Lunch and dinner. Pulled pork, ground beef, tuna salad, chicken salad, pasta with meatballs, soft fish such as salmon, crab cakes, chili, and soup.
- Snacks and side dishes. Mashed potatoes, fresh seedless blueberries, steamed or baked vegetables, and olives.
- Dessert. Pudding, ice cream, frozen yogurt, cake, crepes, baked apples.
The best way to clean dentures is with a denture brush. Patients should brush their dentures several times a day, although not with the same toothpaste that the patient was using pre-dentures (or with toothpaste at all). Instead, patients should use special denture-compatible products. If they are unsure, our team can offer r recommendations. For example, regular household soap may be mild enough to clean dentures well. However, it is crucial to use the proper method.
Also, it is a wise investment to get a daily cleanser. As the American Dental Association notes, these cleansers come in the form of tablets, gels, pastes, creams, and solutions. Look for the ADA seal of acceptance on a cleanser. Dental adhesives are good to have as well, especially if you enjoy foods such as corn on the cob that require more biting force. They come in the form of wafers, strips, creams, and powders.
- Patients should brush their dentures several times a day, although not with the same toothpaste that the patient was using pre-dentures (or with toothpaste at all).
Lifestyle Changes
New denture wearers will experience various lifestyle changes as they adjust to and maintain their appliances. People with new dentures will have to learn how to eat and speak again as the mouth muscles get used to the new feeling. It is normal to experience more saliva flow initially; however, this will fade over time as people get used to wearing dentures.
While speaking may also feel strange with dentures, practicing will help. Practicing will train the mouth muscles and build confidence in speaking with dentures. Other lifestyle changes include diet and oral hygiene routines to keep dentures clean and healthy.
- New denture wearers will experience various lifestyle changes as they adjust to and maintain their appliances.
Maintaining A Clean Mouth
It is crucial that patients exercise adequate oral hygiene habits to maintain their new dentures and keep the oral cavity clean and healthy. Patients with removable dentures should be especially careful to clean out their mouths and the dentures after each meal. Removable dentures should be placed in a cleaning solution overnight and rinsed before re-wearing in the morning. Patients with fixed dentures should also brush, floss, and rinse after every meal.
We recommend that patients purchase a cleaning solution prior to the denture procedure to ensure they have the necessary materials right away. Many types of mild solutions are sold over the counter, such as Efferdent and Polident. There is also a variety of cleaning kits available to clean the dentures throughout the day and overnight. Patients with allergies or sensitivities may also use a mild soap as a solution. However, it is pertinent to discuss any allergies prior to the procedure to ensure that the solution is safe and effective.
- We recommend patients purchase a cleaning solution prior to the denture procedure to ensure they have the necessary materials right away.
What To Expect Before & After
Before the placement procedure, patients can expect a full, thorough rundown of the entire treatment process. We have found that it eases panic levels and induces comfort before and during the procedure. We will inform the patient about the procedure, follow-up care, and any diet and lifestyle changes that will ensue.
Following the procedure, it typically takes patients an average of 30 days to fully adjust to their new dentures. Patients who exercise all pertinent measures and instructions may reduce that time. We will set the follow-up appointments and routinely check the progress of the patient’s healing, as well as make any alterations as needed. In general, patients should be back to their normal eating and lifestyle after a few weeks.
- We will inform the patient about the procedure, follow-up care, and any diet and lifestyle changes that will ensue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Denture Terminology
The alveolar bone is the bone surrounding the root of the tooth that keeps the tooth in place.
A clasp is a device that holds a removable partial denture prosthesis to the teeth.
The denture base is the part of the denture that connects the artificial teeth with the soft tissue of the gums.
Edentulous is a term that applies to people who do not have any teeth.
Periodontal disease is a condition that causes inflammation of the gingival tissues and membrane of the teeth, leading to tooth loss without professional treatment.
Pontic is another term for an artificial tooth on a fixed partial denture.
Rebasing is the process of refitting a denture prosthesis by replacing the base material.
Reline is when a professional resurfaces the surface of the prosthesis with a new base material.
Resin and Acrylic are resinous materials that can be components in a denture base.
Stomatitis is the inflammation of the tissue that is underlying a denture that does not fit properly. It can also result from other oral health factors.
Call Us Today
Taking the right preparations before receiving dentures can aid the adjustment process to dentures. Our team at Smile Solutions can help. Call us today to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.