Dentures - Information, Resources and Forums
It is likely that you will have many questions as a first-time denture wearer - about caring for your dentures, eating with dentures, or speaking with dentures. On this page, you'll find dentures information links, and links to message boards and online support groups.
Getting Used to Dentures (from our message board)
"I am resigned to getting partial dentures. I realise they are uncomfortable, but what I do fear more than the pain of removal, is the return to work. Will I sound like Daffy Duck? Are they horribly uncomfortable? I know I need them, but I am concerned!"
"You will be surprised by how well you get on with the dentures. Millions of people have them and cope very well. Some useful tips and advice are as follows:
- It can take about one week for every decade old you are to get used to new dentures. It is important not to panic if they feel loose when you first get them- they should tighten up when they settle. Also your mouth learns to control them but this takes time.
- Often they will rub the gums a bit at first, meaning that they need to be adjusted by the dentist - so if you get an ulcer, this does not mean that you cannot or will not be able to wear them - just call the dentist!
- When you first get them talk to the plants/pets etc as much as possible to get used to talking with them in.
- Practice counting from 65 up to 70 as these sounds can be the hardest to get used to. Remember that your tongue and cheeks etc. are suddenly being asked to move in a different way- give them a chance to learn!!
- You should usually take them out at night- but keep them in for the first 1 or 2, as this will let your mouth get used to them being there. (You might find them in the sheets in the morning though!). Keeping them in for the first 24 hours also helps if you have had teeth taken out as it ensures that the gums heal in the best way.
- It is common for people to salivate more (which can affect speech) when they first get a denture - basically because the mouth thinks that the plates are big gob-stoppers!!! It's not very often that a dentist will advise you to have sweets but it helps to have something like boiled sweets or mints (try to get SUGAR-FREE!!) for the first few hours of wearing your new plates. When you finish the sweet the salivation should naturally decrease and the mouth will not think that your dentures are food also!
- It sounds like you are getting immediate dentures (i.e. teeth extracted and the plates fitted on the same day). You will probably need the dentures relined, or new ones made in about 3 months. This is because the dentures are made as a 'guess' of what the gums will be like after the teeth come out. So if you do feel that you are struggling a bit, things WILL be improved upon in 3 months.
I hope some of this helps. Very soon your dentures will feel like a part of you rather than foreign objects!"
Answer courtesy of Mike Gow, BDS
Dentures Information and Personal Websites
Tell me about... Dentures Information and practical tips for getting used to dentures, in plain English.
Tell me about... Denture cleaning Excellent, easy-to-follow advice for looking after your dentures.
Living with your Dentures Great summary with tips on speaking and eating with your dentures, caring for your dentures, and relining and rebasing.
denturehelp.com Covers topics such as caring for dentures, denture problems, causes and solutions, and denture facts. Clearly presented and easy to read and navigate.
Partial Dentures - FAQ Excellent FAQ about partial dentures from the American Dental Association's website.
My Denture Adventures If you're in for dentures, it can be very helpful to read about other people's experiences. This site is based on a first-hand diary-style account of going through the process of getting dentures.
Soft food suggestions Not from a dentures site, but useful all the same, especially while you're healing!
Denturist Association of British Columbia Packed with info on all sorts of dentures, and on denturists. Excellent site. Covers topics such as "What are denturists?", "Your first dentures", implant-supported dentures, partial dentures, caring for your dentures, the soft base denture, the secret of a well-made denture, common questions and answers, and more.
Ask Doctor Spiller This excellent dentistry website also has lots of information on dentures, for example why you should replace your denture every 5 to 7 years, information about different types of dentures (including immediate dentures), denture relines, mini-implant supported dentures, and more!
Tell me about... Denture stomatitis (thrush) Information on how to prevent and deal with yeast infection (thrush).
Dentures Support Groups and Forums
Dentures - A New Smile A very friendly and supportive bunch. Apart from the actual message boards, this group contains excellent informational sections on dentures. Due to MSN getting rid of msn groups, the group is now moving to Dentures A New Smile at ning.com.
Denture Adventures A Yahoo! Group which has been highly recommended. Membership required.