How to Adjust to Wearing Dentures

Although dentures may initially be uncomfortable or frustrating, with time and patience you should barely notice them. Most dentists recommend that you visit them yearly for adjustments because the structure of your gums can change over time. If you notice discomfort in between your yearly visits, you may need more frequent adjustments. To keep your dentures in good condition, it's also important to clean and maintain them with denture solution.

Things You'll Need

• Adhesive
• Soft foods

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Instructions

• 1

  Practice speaking in private. When you first get your dentures, your speech will be a little different. Your dentures may shift in the beginning or you may speak slightly muffled or with a lisp. Practice speaking in front of a mirror or while you're performing everyday tasks at home.

• 2

  Avoid significant weight gain or loss, if possible. Your dentures are made to specifically fit your mouth, and a dramatic increase or decrease in weight could affect the fit of your dentures. If you experience a major weight change, you may need your dentist to fit you for a new pair of dentures.

• 3

  Purchase denture adhesive, which will help your dentures better stay in place while talking or eating. Adhesive is not permanent and must be reapplied, but can be used as a quick fix to prevent unwanted denture movements. Note that it's more likely that the adhesive will be beneficial for a bottom denture because the top denture usually has a suction feature that helps it stay in place.

• 4

  Take small bites of food. Cut your food into smaller pieces than you normally would. Concentrate on eating with your back teeth and chewing simultaneously with both sides. Avoid chewing with your front teeth, which can jar the dentures and may cause them to slip out of place.

• 5

  Start out by eating soft foods. This is especially important during the first few days of adjusting to your dentures because they may cause minor soreness or pain. Soft foods will require less chewing and alleviate pressure on your new set of teeth.