Before your appointment
We walk you through the whole treatment first, including follow-up care and any changes to your diet and routine. In our experience, knowing what to expect eases worry before and during the procedure.
Stock your kitchen with soft foods
Soft, easy-to-chew foods are the key. A few ideas:
- Breakfast: scrambled eggs, smoothies, grits, muffins, bagels cut into pieces
- Lunch and dinner: pulled pork, ground beef, tuna or chicken salad, pasta with meatballs, soft fish such as salmon, crab cakes, chili, soup
- Snacks and sides: mashed potatoes, seedless blueberries, steamed or baked vegetables, olives
- Dessert: pudding, ice cream, frozen yogurt, cake, crepes, baked apples
If you share a home, it helps when others eat the same things. You can even shop together for food and dental products.
Get your cleaning supplies ready
A denture brush is the best tool. Brush several times a day, but not with your old toothpaste, and ideally not with toothpaste at all. Regular toothpaste is too abrasive for dentures. Use denture-friendly products instead. Even household soap can be mild enough when used correctly.
A daily cleanser is a good investment. These come as tablets, gels, pastes, creams and solutions, and the American Dental Association suggests looking for its Seal of Acceptance. Denture adhesives, in wafers, strips, creams or powders, are useful too, especially for foods that need more biting force, like corn on the cob.
Buy a mild solution such as Efferdent or Polident before the procedure so you have it from day one. If you have allergies or sensitivities, tell us beforehand so we can make sure your solution is safe and effective. Removable dentures go into the solution overnight and are rinsed before you put them back in. If you have fixed dentures, brush, floss and rinse after every meal.
The first weeks
Expect to relearn how to eat and speak while the muscles of your mouth adjust. More saliva at first is normal and fades over time. Your mouth may also feel tired, because dentures can seem heavy at first. You can wear them for a few hours a day and build up.
On average, it takes about 30 days to adjust fully, and following our instructions can shorten that. We schedule follow-up visits to check how you are healing and make any changes. Most people are back to their normal eating and daily life after a few weeks.
Common questions
Which cleanser is best?
It depends on your preference. Many people soak their dentures in a solution, which reduces bacteria and odor. Other cleansers need brushing, which takes more time and attention.
Can I use toothpaste on my dentures?
Regular toothpaste is too abrasive. Products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance are a safe choice, and we can go over options at your visit.
Will my speech change?
You may feel that your speech is hard to understand, but it probably is not. Dentures change how sound reaches your ears. Adhesive can keep them from shifting while you talk, and reading aloud helps you practice.
Should I wear my dentures 24 hours a day?
Possibly at the start. Wearing them around the clock can be the quickest way to see whether they need adjusting. After that, take them out to sleep so your gums can rest.
What if I produce too much saliva?
Take the dentures out to rest your gums, drink more water, or try sugar-free lozenges.