As you prepare to receive your partial dentures, you may begin to wonder what life will be like once they are in place. Will it be possible to eat right away? Will you speak differently than before? How much maintenance is required? All of these questions are common among patients who are seeking to replace their missing teeth with this type of prosthetic. This is why the following article serves to address what that first month will be like after receiving a customized partial denture.
What Kind of Adjustments Can Be Expected in the First Month?
You might assume that as soon as your partial denture is secured into place you will be able to easily eat, speak, chew, and smile. While some might be easier than others, there is an adjustment phase you can expect to go through.
Initially, within the first 24 hours, you can expect to feel some soreness, as your mouth will be getting used to the new prosthetic. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help to alleviate some of this discomfort. After this time, you will need to make sure that you remove your dentures before going to bed to allow your gums a chance to breathe and regain some circulation.
Other adjustments you can expect to encounter include:
- A lisp or slight speech impediment, as your tongue, cheeks, and lips will need to adjust to moving and speaking with the partial in place
- A change in the way you eat, as certain foods may be more difficult to chew at first because of the newness surrounding your bite force and chewing power
How Can You Adjust to New Partials Quickly?
Although you cannot avoid the process of adjusting to new partials, you can take steps to hurry it along. A few helpful tips to consider include:
- Taking small bites when starting to incorporate denser foods into your diet. Beginning with soft foods will help to alleviate any discomfort you might feel initially.
- Speaking slowly so that your oral structures can become used to the new prosthetic and begin to adapt to its presence. This might mean practicing certain sounds or syllables in front of a mirror or reading aloud so that you see how your mouth moves when making specific words.
- Taking pain relievers to help with any discomfort and soreness that might last a few days after initial placement. If it persists and does not get better with time, your dentist can work to alter our partial so that it fits more comfortably.
Receiving a partial denture can be an exciting step in your oral healthcare journey. Having a complete smile once again is a positive move forward in pursuing better wellness. While adjusting to a partial denture may seem a bit daunting, you can rest easy knowing there are helpful tips you can now use to better prepare yourself for what is to come.
About the Author
Dr. John Ludu and his team at Devoted Family Dental are here to save smiles. When helping patients who suffer from tooth loss, he offers only the best solutions. Because dentures are popular among those without their normal teeth, we will offer helpful tips to keep your new partials looking and feeling their best year after year. Contact us at (623) 444-6222 to learn how you can better adjust to your new teeth.