How to Live With Dentures

In the United States, 25% of people 60 years or older do not have any of their natural teeth, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They must rely on dentures. At first, dentures can be uncomfortable, and the otherwise simple tasks of eating, talking and smiling can seem awkward and unnatural. However, with a little adjustment and some simple techniques, you can learn to live with dentures.

Things You'll Need

• Soft foods
• Denture cleanser
• Soft toothbrush

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Instructions

• 1

  Eat softer foods when you first get your dentures. This will get you used to what it feels like to eat with dentures. Once you get used to softer foods, the transition to hard foods will be easier because you will know how it feels to bite and chew with dentures. You might also feel some discomfort at first when eating, and softer foods are easier to bite and chew.

• 2

  Chew small bites. Smaller mouthfuls of food will be easier to chew with your dentures at first because you are still getting used to how they feel to bite and chew. Within three months, you can start eating harder foods and taking normal-sized bites.

• 3

  Learn how to clean your dentures. You should be using a cleanser for dentures, not toothpaste, and a toothbrush with softer bristles. Clean them each morning and each night. Take your dentures out of your mouth, and apply the cleanser directly to the surface. Then, use the soft toothbrush to brush the dentures just as you would your normal teeth, in up-and-down and side-to-side motion. Be sure to clean all around the dentures, including the teeth and gums.

• 4

  Store your dentures overnight in water. Remove your dentures at night to let your gums rest and place your dentures in a cup of cool water so they don't get too dry. Soaking your dentures in the dental cleanser can help keep them clean and fresh.

• 5

  Practice saying words out loud that are tough to say with dentures. These can include words with the "F" or "S" sounds. Stand in front of a mirror so you can see how your mouth moves when the words are pronounced correctly.

• 6

  Bite down on your dentures before you start to speak to someone. This will secure the dentures and make speaking easier.