Ninety percent of people in the United States missing teeth opt for dentures, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. At the Dental Office of Dr. Igor Babenkov, DDS, in Roseville, California, Dr. Babenkov replaces missing teeth with dental implants or dentures. He offers a variety of tips for denture wearers to keep you smiling.
Tip 1: Expect a period of adjustment
Allow a month or so to get used to your new dentures. Dr. Babenkov suggests you:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to ease any sores or discomfort
- Apply a topical gel to your gums for additional pain relief
- Put healing aloe vera on your dentures to help soothe irritated gums
- Gently massage your gums to reduce swelling
Tip 2: Ease into chewing
You may find it difficult at first to chew comfortably with your new dentures. Get accustomed to eating with your new teeth by cutting food into smaller pieces and alternating chewing between your right and left sides.
Choose soft foods that are gentle on your teeth and gums, such as:
- Eggs
- Potatoes
- Fish
- Cottage cheese
- Cooked vegetables
- Yogurt
- Pudding
Ease into eating to feel more secure about your new dentures. Your sense of hot and cold might be affected, so take care when drinking or eating hot foods. And don’t worry if your taste buds aren’t as accurate as they used to be. Your sense of taste should return to its former glory shortly.
Tip 3: Cleanliness is vital
With dentures, more than ever, it’s essential to practice good dental hygiene. We recommend brushing your gums, mouth, and tongue with toothpaste and a soft brush each morning and night to remove harmful bacteria. Be sure to brush your dentures, as well, with a nonabrasive denture cleanser. Rinse them completely with warm water after they’ve soaked in denture cleanser before reapplying.
Tip 4: Give it a rest
Dr. Babenkov suggests leaving dentures out of your mouth for at least six to eight hours every night. This gives your gums and mouth time to heal.
Tip 5: Practice makes perfect
Dentures may influence the way you speak, especially in the beginning. We suggest you read or speak aloud in private to get accustomed to talking with your new dentures. You can even try tongue twisters to keep your speech in tip-top shape. It helps to bite down and swallow if your dentures move when you eat or speak.
We’ll keep you smiling
Dr. Babenkov offers a range of dentures, including:
- Complete dentures to replace an entire set of teeth
- Partial dentures that fit around your natural teeth
- Overdentures that lie atop your natural teeth or dental implants
- Full or partial removable dentures that can be taken out each night for cleaning
If you’ve decided dentures are the way to go or have problems with your current dentures or teeth, the Dental Office of Dr. Igor Babenkov, DDS, is here to help. Simply give us a call or schedule an appointment online today.
