DENTURES

Getting used to dentures

Partials and dentures can take six months or longer to get used to.  Many denture wearers comment that it, "Feels like a mouthful."  Patients have to learn to speak again, eat again and to hold the dentures in place.  Dr. Lawson suggests that patients practice speaking out loud and reading magazines or newspapers to themselves at home.  When first learning to eat, it is helpful to start with a liquid or soft diet, and eventually work up to meats and solid foods again.  Cooking meats in a crock-pot with beef or chicken broth helps keep the meat tender and easier to chew.  Cutting meat into small pieces and chewing on both sides is also recommended, so the teeth do not wear on one side faster than the other.

If you are having trouble keeping the dentures in place, rather than using denture adhesives, Dr. Lawson recommends making sure the mouth is moist and well-lubricated.  If medications are causing a dry mouth, be sure to use saliva substitutes frequently and drink at least 8 oz. of water a day.  Without a moist mouth, denture wearers will not get the "suction cup effect" on the roof of the mouth, and even the best fitting denture will fall out.

Contact Dr. Lawson for more information.