Getting new dentures is a major step in restoring the look, comfort, and function of your smile. Whether you’re completely new to dentures or transitioning to a new set, your mouth will need some time to adapt. Read on if you recently received dentures from a dentist in Davie, FL, and are wondering what to expect as you learn how to eat, speak, and smile again with confidence.
Starting to use dentures
Dentures are oral appliances designed to replace missing teeth and their surrounding tissues.1 They can be full or partial, depending on the number of teeth being replaced. Although dentures are custom-made, your mouth and facial muscles still need time to adapt, so it’s normal to feel minor soreness for the first few weeks.2 If you feel you’re experiencing a lot of discomfort, speak to your dentist in case your dentures need to be adjusted.
Eating with new dentures
Eating is one of the first daily activities you’ll need to readjust to. But small changes in how you bite and chew foods help make the adjustment easier.
Choose soft foods
Start with soft foods like eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, and other easy-to-chew foods.3 As these foods are gentle on your gums, they can make the adjustment easier.4 Make sure to drink while you eat, as liquids can prevent food from sticking to your dentures and also help to soften food in your mouth to make chewing easier. Learning to eat with dentures takes patience, and you might notice that food both feels and tastes different in the beginning.
Chew carefully
Cut your food into smaller pieces and chew slowly and carefully while you’re adjusting, as your cheek muscles and tongue need to get used to this new way of directing food in your mouth.5 Try to chew on both sides of your mouth, as keeping the pressure even not only makes it easier to chew, but also ensures you’re strengthening all the muscles equally.6
Gradually return to your usual diet
Once you start becoming more comfortable with your dentures, you can gradually add firmer foods back into your diet. You’ll probably still want to avoid particularly hard or sticky foods like nuts, gum, or crusty bread, as they can cause dentures to become dislodged.7
Speaking with new dentures
Like eating, speaking with dentures can also take some getting used to. The good news is that your voice probably sounds more different to you than it does to others. This is because we normally hear our own voice through vibrations in our jaw, and wearing dentures changes this sensation.8
Nevertheless, new dentures can affect how you pronounce words, especially words that include letters like “s” and “f”.9 Practice reading words aloud and try to speak more slowly so your facial muscles have time to adapt. If you hear your dentures clicking as you speak, or you feel them shifting, it may be due to muscle coordination rather than an improper fit. If the issue persists, speak to your dentist in case your dentures need to be adjusted.
Smiling with new dentures
It’s natural to feel a bit self-conscious when wearing new dentures, but you’ll regain your confidence with time. After all, modern dentures are so well-made that you’ll find most people won’t even realize you’re wearing them.10
Once you feel more comfortable eating and speaking, try easing back into social situations. The more you use your new dentures in everyday life, the easier smiling and interacting will feel. In fact, many people notice that they actually smile much more after starting to wear dentures.11
To keep your new smile pearly white, make sure to clean your dentures every day. First, rinse them to remove any food or debris, and then brush them gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleaner. If you eat foods that can cause stains, like coffee, red wine, or berries, then try to clean your dentures as soon as possible after.12
The bottom line
Adjusting to new dentures is a process, and it’s completely normal for eating, speaking, and smiling to feel different at first. Getting advice from a professional helps, so if you’ve been searching online for a “dentist near me,” you’re already on the right track. A dentist can help you understand what to expect, explain how much dentures cost, and advise on any additional treatments you might need. With the right support, you’ll be on your way to eating, speaking, and smiling with confidence again.
