First Visit: Dentures - AZ Family Dental

Unavoidable reasons like aging, tooth decay, gum infection, and other issues lead to a need or desire for dentures. Whatever your reasons, dentures will elevate your well-being and ameliorate affected parts of your life that the problems above have diminished.

What to expect at the first visit for dentures?

Two things typically happen at your first visit for dentures. First, your dentist conducts a full oral examination to make sure your gums and soft tissue are healthy. Second, what often follows is an X-ray to assess whether or not the bones are healthy. If the bones need treatment, a simple procedure that reshapes the bone or removes excess tissue is needed to promote a better fit. Sometimes, a tooth extraction is necessary. This doctor’s office visit is instrumental for getting dentures fitted properly and learning about different denture types to decide which best suits your needs.

What not to do when you first get dentures?

Avoid rushing when you eat or drink following treatment to prevent accidents.
Avoid chewing sticky foods (especially gum).
Avoid biting hard foods and substances, like ice, fingernails, and pencils, until you grow more comfortable with your dentures.
Do not hold liquids in your mouth since it may dislodge the bottom dentures.
Avoid spicy foods so that open sores or irritations do not become problematic.
Form the healthy habit of submerging your dentures in water or denture cleanser when you are not wearing them so they don’t dry out.
Do not ignore the sound and professional advice from your dentist in order you avoid complications.

Do you have no teeth while waiting for dentures?

It is not always the case that you have no teeth while waiting for dentures. If you need a tooth extraction, a temporary denture may be provided immediately. The temporary denture will help you maintain your appearance and will not hinder your normal eating and speaking habits while you wait.

What happens the first week of wearing dentures?

The first week of wearing dentures is a week of adjustment. You might experience soreness, minor irritation, and mild discomfort. To feel normal again, it is essential to wear your dentures as much as possible, overcoming the awkwardness and strangeness that even your cheeks and tongue might feel.

How long does it take to talk normally after getting dentures?

It seems that the more you practice talking and even singing, the faster you get back to sounding normal when you wear dentures. When you talk with dentures the first time, you will likely notice some differences in the way some particular words and letters sound when you pronounce them. Some people report that it takes 6 months to 1 year to sound normal. However, this seems to be determined by how much one speaks and practices with their dentures on.

But what and how do you practice? Try the following

Speaking slowly and clearly. You are likely to have trouble adapting to speaking with dentures, but if you are intentional with your words, then you will be able to notice what words and sounds are the most difficult for you.
Read out loud. This will simply force you to say things out loud, and if you pick a great book, you can enjoy a great story while improving your speech.
Practice vocal exercises. After you determine which sounds are difficult to pronounce, make jingles and songs that force you to work through them. You can also pick out your favorite songs and sing those out loud. Counting is also a good way to work through different sounds out loud.

What words are hard to say with dentures?

The words that are hard to say change from person to person. However, common types of words that are difficult to say are ones with the following sounds:

Silibant sounds – “s”, “sh”, “z”’, “ch”
Fricative sounds – “f” and “v”
Labiodental sounds – “p,” “b,” “m”
‘Th’ sounds
Consonant clusters – words like “strength,” “crisps,” “texts”

Will people know I’m wearing dentures?

It is highly unlikely that people will know if you are wearing dentures. However, if they do start to notice, take it as a sign that you may need your dentist to refit them or do some other work. You must ensure that your dentures fit properly with your dentist. Do not hesitate to communicate with your dentist if there is an issue. This will cause, at the least, speech issues, but, at the most, other pain or discomfort-inducing symptoms. The more you take care to practice your speech and the sounds you struggle with, the less likely this will be a cause for people to notice.

Denture Treatment with AZ Family Dental

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