Whether you have
worn dentures for some time or are about to wear them
for the first time, you probably have many questions.
Dentures in one form
or another have been around for many years. The
earliest recorded use of dentures was more than 2000
years ago. Today, dentures are better quality
and more comfortable than ever before.
Q Why bother with
dentures?
A Replacing
lost or missing teeth has substantial benefits for
your health and appearance. A complete or full
denture replaces the natural teeth and provides support
for cheeks and lips. Without this support, sagging
facial muscles can make a person appear older and reduce
their ability to eat and speak.
Q What is a denture?
A A
denture is an appliance which is worn to replace lost
or missing teeth to enable you to enjoy a healthy diet
and smile with confidence.
A complete or full
denture is one that replaces all of the natural teeth
in either the upper or lower jaws.
A partial denture
fills in the spaces created by lost or missing teeth
and is attached to your natural teeth with metal clasps
or devices called precision attachments.
Q What are dentures
made of?
A The
base of a denture is called a plate and can be made
of either acrylic (plastic) or metal. The teeth
are normally made of acrylic and can be made to match
your natural teeth. This is especially important
in the case of partial dentures.
Q Will dentures
make me look different?
A Dentures
can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth
so that little change in appearance will be noticeable. Modern
dentures may even improve the look of your smile and
help fill out the appearance of your face.
Q Will I be
able to eat with dentures?
A Eating
will take a little practice. Start with soft
foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using
both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent
the denture from moving. As you become more used
to your denture, add other foods until you return to
your normal healthy diet.
Q Will dentures
change how I speak?
A Pronouncing
certain words may require practice. Reading
out loud and repeating difficult words will help. Over
time you will adjust and get used to it, so don’t
worry!
If you find that
your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough
or smile, reposition the denture by gently biting down
and swallowing. If this continues consult your
dentist.
Q Will my sense
of taste be affected?
A This
is quite a common worry, but the fact is that your
teeth have nothing to do with your sense of taste. Your
taste buds are mainly on your tongue and they will
still be there so eventually everything will not taste
too different. However, at first food may not
taste the same, as your dentures will interfere with
your taste buds while your mouth adjusts to the feel
of the denture. Your ability to sense hot food
and drink may also be affected, so for a while it is
a good idea to avoid very hot food and drinks, as you
may burn yourself.
Q How long should
I wear my dentures?
A During
the first few days, you may be advised to wear them
for most of the time, including while you are asleep. This
will allow you to adjust to your new dentures and let
them settle in. After an initial period of adjustment
your dentist may advise that you remove them before
going to bed. This allows your gums to rest and
helps promote oral health. If you decide to keep
them in overnight, it is important that you clean them
thoroughly before you go to bed, just as you would
natural teeth.
Q Must I do anything
special to care for my mouth?
A Even
with full dentures, you still need to take good care
of your mouth. Every morning and evening, brush
your gums, tongue and palate (roof of your mouth) with
a soft –bristled brush. This removes plaque
and stimulates circulation in the mouth. It is
vitally important that partial denture wearers brush
their teeth thoroughly every day to prevent tooth decay
and gum disease that can lead to further teeth being
lost.
Q What is the difference
between conventional and Immediate Dentures?
A Conventional
dentures are made and inserted after teeth have been
removed and the tissues have healed. Healing
may take several months.
Immediate Dentures
are inserted immediately after teeth have been removed. To
do this, the dentist takes measurements and impressions
of your mouth during a preliminary visit
An advantage of Immediate
Dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without
teeth during the healing period. However, bone
and gums can shrink over time, especially during the
first six months after teeth have been removed. When
gums shrink, Immediate Dentures may require relining
or even replacing to fit properly.
Q What will dentures
feel like?
A New
dentures may feel awkward or even uncomfortable for
a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The
dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek
and tongue learn to keep them in place. Should
this continue, consult your dentist.
It is not unusual
to experience minor irritation or soreness during this
period. You may also find that saliva flow temporarily
increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to
the dentures, these problems should diminish. If
any problems persist, particularly irritation or soreness,
be sure to consult your dentist as soon as possible
and not wait for your regular check up. Do not
take your dentures out though, leave them in, that
way the dentist will be able to see where it is sore
and sort the problem out quicker.
Q How do I take
care of my dentures?
A Dentures
are very delicate and may break if dropped. When
cleaning dentures it is recommended that you do so
over a folded towel or sink of water. When you
are not wearing your dentures, they should be stored
in a container containing enough water to cover them.
Like natural teeth,
dentures must be brushed daily to remove food debris
and plaque. Brushing helps prevent dentures becoming
stained and helps your mouth stay healthy. There
are special denture cleaning brushes available but
a soft bristled toothbrush can also be used. Avoid
using hard-bristled brushes, which can cause damage.
The use of an effervescent
denture cleaner will help remove stubborn stains and
leave your denture feeling fresher.
Q Can dentures be
re-polished?
A Yes
they can. After considerable use, dentures can
become slightly dull and rough. However, if you
take them back to your dentist, they can be re-polished
and restored to their original appearance.
Q Will my dentures
need to be replaced?
A Over
a period of time, dentures will need to be relined
or re-made due to normal wear or a change in the shape
of your mouth. Bone and gum ridges can recede
or shrink causing jaws to align differently. Loose
dentures can cause health problems, including sores
and infections not to mention discomfort. A loose
or ill-fitting denture can also make eating and speaking
more difficult. It is important to replace worn
or poorly fitting dentures before they cause problems.
Q How often should
I see my dentist?
A Regular
dental check-ups and having your teeth professionally
cleaned are vital for maintaining healthy teeth and
gums, most dentists recommend that under normal circumstances
this should be done every 6 months. Full denture
wearers should consult their dentist as to frequency
of visits.
With regular professional
care, a positive attitude and persistence, you can
become one of the millions of people who wear their
dentures with a smile.
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