How to Improve Dentures Comfort
Custom-made dentures can significantly enhance nutrition, self-confidence, and overall quality of life for individuals missing their natural teeth. But dentures can be challenging to get used to. In this article, we give practical tips on how to improve the comfort of your dentures.
How to Improve the Comfort of Your Dentures
In some cases, especially when you get new dentures, they can cause some discomfort, such as rubbing the soft tissue in the mouth or slipping or shifting when speaking or chewing food. To improve denture comfort, we recommend making several adjustments to your oral hygiene and diet and implementing certain denture care habits.
Use Denture Adhesives Properly
Denture adhesive is available in various forms, including cream, powder, or strips, and can help dentures stay securely in place by creating a bond between the gum and the denture. However, to get the most out of denture adhesive:
- Use only a thin layer of the adhesive and avoid overuse, as it can cause buildup and irritate the gums.
- Try different types of products to find the one that works best for you, or ask your dentist for a recommendation.
Address Gum Sores or Irritation
Dentures can rub against the gum tissue, especially until you get used to them, causing gum sores or irritation. If needed, try the following to reduce irritation:
- Rinse your mouth with salt water or a camomile solution to reduce microbial growth.
- Maintain good oral hygiene and clean your dentures thoroughly to prevent bacteria from worsening the irritation. Do not forget to soak your dentures overnight to prevent them from drying out and changing their shape. Clean your dentures with a brush and a denture cleaner, and gently clean your gums and tongue with a soft-bristled brush.
- Try using special cushion pads for dentures as a temporary solution to allow your gums to heal.
- Remove your dentures when you do not need them to let your gums rest and heal.
Adjust Your Diet
Remember that dentures typically can provide only about 20% of our natural bite force. This meant that the diet had to be adjusted accordingly:
- Opt for soft foods that do not require biting or excessive chewing; otherwise, your dentures might shift or slip, causing pain and further irritation.
- Cut your food into small pieces that are easier to chew
- Chew your food evenly on both sides of your mouth.
Make Sure that Your Dentures Fit Properly
Dentures can become uncomfortable over time due to the natural process of bone resorption, jaw bone density loss that occurs when people do not have natural teeth. Thus, even if your dentures fit comfortably in the beginning, you might notice that they become slightly too big over time. Schedule regular checkups with your dentist to monitor the process and make necessary adjustments to your dentures or consider replacing them with a new set.
Be Patient
As we mentioned before, dentures can take some time getting used to. Many people experience discomfort in the first weeks or months of wearing dentures, but the discomfort improves with time and the lifestyle changes we talk about in this article.
Consider Alternatives
Implant-supported dentures can be a significant improvement in comfort compared to traditional dentures. This type of denture is retained by several dental implants (they are attached to the implants) in the mouth instead of relying on the gums and jawbone for support. This type of attachment makes dentures much more stable and secure in the mouth and also allows for a wider variety of foods, as it provides more chewing power.
However, implant-supported dentures are not a good option for everyone, as obtaining dental implants requires sufficient jawbone density and a body with sufficient regeneration capacity.
Get High-Quality Custom Dentures at Smile World Dental
Do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with an experienced dentist at Smile World Dental to receive comfortable, high-quality custom-made dentures. We are looking forward to your visit.