As the dentures settle into their position, they will cause denture sores or pressure points. Just like wearing a new pair of shoes that may cause sore feet at first. Your shoes may eventually give a little and your feet feel better. However, with dentures, you are dealing with rigid objects sitting on both hard and soft tissues, so there is not much ‘give’ so pressure points present as denture sores. Chewing with your new dentures is an acquired skill. It takes up to 2 months to become comfortable with your new dentures. Your tongue, cheeks, lips and all supporting structures have to adjust to this new Denture. These sores usually do not go away on their own. They require your denturist’s attention. If your dentures are hurting your gums, you can remove your dentures until you can get in to see your denturist. Make sure you wear your NEW dentures, 3 hours before your appointment, even if they hurt. This will make your adjustment appointment much more effective. You will feel a lot better once you have an adjustment. People have different pain tolerances, tissues, structures etc. therefore you can expect to visit your denturist for adjustments 1- 10 times, depending on many variables. Between adjustment appointments, you can rinse with Warm Saltwater (1/4 spoon of salt, 1 Glass of warm water, remove dentures and swish around solution and spit out solution. Do this until the glass is finished. Followed by a glass of plain warm water to rid the mouth of excess salt. **Note, if you have high blood pressure, use baking soda in place of salt)

My Dentures are Loose

The upper denture tends to be less bothersome than the lower. This is because, with a good impression, we can achieve suction or a seal against the palate. The lower denture however, is always a loose or floating denture. The tongue intrudes, and prevents a completed seal. Therefore, the lower denture always feels much looser than the upper. You can try to hold the lower denture down by spreading your tongue out at the back. Once again, it is a skill to master functioning with your new dentures. But once you have mastered it, you can talk, eat, and laugh while not letting anyone know you are wearing dentures. Persevere, Persevere, Persevere!

I'm in Pain

As the dentures settle into their position, they will cause denture sores or pressure points. Just like wearing a new pair of shoes that may cause sore feet at first. Your shoes may eventually give a little and your feet feel better. However, with dentures, you are dealing with rigid objects sitting on both hard and soft tissues, so there is not much ‘give’ so pressure points present as denture sores. Chewing with your new dentures is an acquired skill. It takes up to 2 months to become comfortable with your new dentures. Your tongue, cheeks, lips and all supporting structures have to adjust to this new Denture. These sores usually do not go away on their own. They require your denturist’s attention. If your dentures are hurting your gums, you can remove your dentures until you can get in to see your denturist. Make sure you wear your NEW dentures, 3 hours before your appointment, even if they hurt. This will make your adjustment appointment much more effective. You will feel a lot better once you have an adjustment. People have different pain tolerances, tissues, structures etc. therefore you can expect to visit your denturist for adjustments 1- 10 times, depending on many variables. Between adjustment appointments, you can rinse with Warm Saltwater (1/4 spoon of salt, 1 Glass of warm water, remove dentures and swish around solution and spit out solution. Do this until the glass is finished. Followed by a glass of plain warm water to rid the mouth of excess salt. **Note, if you have high blood pressure, use baking soda in place of salt)

Taking Care of Your Dentures

You should clean your dentures after each meal -You should sleep with your dentures OUT, soaking in a cleansing solution overnight (Nova Denture Cleanser is a strong and effective product, or Polident Denture Cleanser Tablets also work well) -Do NOT use Toothpaste on your dentures (Toothpaste has abrasives in it for natural teeth, for acrylic denture teeth, this can act like sand paper over the long term). You can use a denture cleaner (Fresh Cleanse by Polident) with a soft bristle toothbrush/denture brush OR you can use a drop of household dishwashing liquid. -Clean the dentures thoroughly at night using cold water over a basin of water, or a towel, incase they fall.