Wondering if adapting to life with dentures is going to be a simple process? The truth is that new dentures can take some getting used to. However, the adjustment period usually lasts for only a few weeks.

At Alencar Family Dentistry, Dr. Jayme A. Oliveira Filho has helped dozens of patients recover their smiles with partial or full dentures. To get used to them faster, he recommends the following:

Expect Some Initial Discomfort

The initial discomfort of wearing new dentures is caused by the fact that your gums and the other soft tissues in your mouth need some time to get used to being in contact with the baseline of your false teeth. Even so, most people will get accustomed to new dentures in less than a month.

As the soft tissue heals, you may require some adjustments to feel completely comfortable with your new dentures. Dr. Jayme A. Oliveira Filho at Alencar Family Dentistry can make the necessary changes to ensure a perfect and comfortable fit.

Try a Softer Diet

A soft diet that includes foods like mashed potatoes and pudding is recommended as it puts less pressure on the healing gums. It can allow you to get used to chewing with the new dentures and avoid popping them out of place, biting your tongue, scraping your gums, or otherwise harming yourself.

Smaller Food Bites

Once you are ready to move on to more solid foods, try cutting them into small, bite-sized pieces that you can easily chew with your back teeth. Over time, you will learn to get used to the motion and adjust the amount of pressure you put when chewing until you can do it without dislodging your dentures.

Don’t Use Front Teeth for Biting

It’s better to avoid biting semi-solid foods with your front teeth as this may cause your dentures to move out of place. Try cutting foods into bite-size pieces and chewing only with your side or back teeth.

Avoid Certain Foods

Some sticky caramels, hard candies, and snacks like popcorn can make your dentures pop out. In addition, biting hard on these foods can also damage false teeth, causing chips and cracks.

If you are looking into getting dentures or are still adjusting to wearing one, our team at Alencar Family Dentistry is ready to help and can create a customized plan to meet your denture requirements. Call us today at (757) 546-0301 or book an appointment online.