The most important aspect of a denture is how well you adjust to it. You may wonder why you need to adjust it once a reliable dental expert makes it. Why adjust once it is made as directed by a reputed dentist after taking necessary measurements, and all that? However, remember, your mind needs adjustment with any object added to your body, internally or externally. Such adjustments take a few days to weeks depending upon type, material, size, body part, psychological reaction, etc. Similarly, denture adjustments also take some time and may require professional assistance, as well.
Adjustment for Your New Denture
As discussed earlier here, they are like a foreign body, added willingly they cause a few troubles to adjust initially. Pressure at some points of the denture base is a common problem and is corrected by denture adjustments by specialists. However, you should never ever try to do the adjustment yourself using any sharp knife or sandpaper. Such an attempt may cause permanent damage to your costly and essential denture and might be fatal.
Adjustment of Your Old Denture
The shape and size of our mouth and jawbone change due to shrinking, as we age. Your denture being a non-living object retains its shape and size for years. This gap needs adjustment, you need to undergo refitting procedures or reline. As a part of a cycle, a relined denture being a new one, it again needs some adjustment.
Common Problems with Denture
You should wear a denture that is made by a reputed technician and as advised by an experienced dentist. You must ensure that the dentures you are going to wear snuggly fit your mouth without any problem. If you do not ensure these, you may face the following problems that need denture adjustments:
You may feel irritation in the gum and mouth
It may lead to gum and or mouth infection
It may cause a nausea-like feeling
You may face difficulty while chewing and eating
It may cause uneasiness while speaking
You may feel it is unstable in your mouth
Tips on Denture Adjustments
Wear dentures that fit you properly, to prevent irritation in gum and mouth. There may be mild odd feelings for a few days. Such a problem goes off on its own.
If the irritation persists or you find any sore spots in your mouth or gum, consult your dentist immediately. There might be an infection, which needs proper treatment.
Having any foreign object in the mouth, that is too long may cause nausea. Sucking candy may give relief. However, this is a temporary solution to the problem.
Take small bites of soft food like eggs, yogurt, etc., and put them towards the back of your mouth. Chew slowly without putting much pressure.
Do not eat any food those are sticky or tough to bite.
Chew using both sides. Do not move your jaw from side to side while chewing, chew in straight up and down movements.
Limit tongue movements as much as possible to allow lower dentures to stay in place.
Build confidence each time you eat while these denture adjustments are in progress. Your chewing ability will increase certainly, but gradually. Hence, have patience.
To adjust to speaking discomforts with new dentures, speak using small sentences. Avoid speaking very loud except few hard words in between. If you follow these instructions with confidence, you will be able to speak normally within a short period of time.
In case, you feel that the denture is moving in your mouth while smiling or laughing, do not panic. Softly bite down and swallow to put it in place.
Thus, you can adjust with new dentures.