Everyone needs a beautiful smile. If an accident, poor dental health, or disease has left you with few natural teeth, your dentist may recommend dentures to replace the missing teeth on your upper or lower jaw.
Dentures can restore a smile, boost confidence, and improve quality of life. They’re custom-designed with an acrylic base to snugly fit into your mouth. They are also well-supported by the hard and soft gum tissue.
It may take some time to adjust to dentures as your body adapts.
Types of Dentures
The common denture types include:
- Complete (full) dentures ideal for patients with all teeth missing.
- Removable (partial) dentures for patients with a few missing natural teeth.
- Fixed partial dentures for patients with one or two teeth missing who want a permanent option.
- Implant retained dentures ideal for additional support due to bone loss. These implants anchor the denture teeth in the mouth, and must be removed periodically for cleaning.
- Immediate dentures are ideal for patients who want the dentist to remove their natural tooth and install a prosthetic tooth the same day.
Denture cost varies depending on the denture type. Your dentist will advise you on whether you need a fixed partial denture, a removable denture, or complete dentures, depending on your condition.
Tips From the Dentist To Live With Dentures
Like dental implants, dentures may feel uncomfortable for the first few weeks. You may experience a bulky or loose feeling as your tongue, cheek muscles, and other mouth tissues learn to hold the denture teeth in place. A feeling of tongue restriction, excessive saliva flow, and denture stomatitis are also common.
Here are a few tips to help you live comfortably with your dentures:
Practice Eating
You may feel awkward eating in the beginning with dentures. Try to:
- Eat soft foods
- Avoid sticky or hard foods
- Slice your food into small pieces
- Bite carefully and chew slowly
- Chew with both sides of the mouth
Practice Speaking With Missing Teeth
According to professional speech therapists, the most effective way to practice speaking is by singing. Make a habit of singing along to your favorite tunes aloud while wearing your new dentures. Smooth, fluid phrases sung slowly will help you learn to reform certain phrases without your dentures feeling like a hindrance.
Maintain Proper Care and Hygiene
- Keep your dentures moist by placing them in plain water or denture cleanser soaking solution when you aren’t wearing them.
- You should always avoid hot water as it can cause the dentures to warp.
- Always brush your gums, palate, and tongue before inserting your dentures to promote circulation in the gums.
- Clean your dentures daily to remove plaque and food deposits, and prevent staining.
Dentures Near Me at My Emergency Dental
Do you have a loose denture or faulty denture adhesive? Your search for general dental care and health education may direct you to our My Emergency Dental team. We offer a range of high-quality dental services, including denture repair.
Contact us today at 470-523-8118 to schedule an appointment or peruse our web page for more information.
