Dr. Masone's frequently asked denture questions:
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1. What do new dentures feel like?
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That depends on whether you are an experienced denture wearer or if you are a beginner.
Dentures must be replaced every four to six years. Every new denture is going to feel “funny, different or strange”. And, most patients say that the new teeth feel “big and full”. These are the most common immediate comments we hear about new teeth. It never feels like their old broken in and worn out slippers/dentures. To a beginner, it feels “big and full and takes up a lot of space in my mouth”. It feels like a “foreign object” and indeed if a person has not worn a denture before, it is in fact, a foreign object! Like most new things, dentures take a little getting used to. Your palate and your tongue and cheek muscles learn to hold them in position.
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There's one simple rule to adjust well: wear your new teeth every day! If you are an experienced denture wearer, do not switch around with any old sets! Wear the denture all day and the gums will quickly settle in. The gum and the oral tissue actually mold and adapt to the inside and then it will feel natural and progressively more comfortable. You literally just have to wear it to become comfortable.
As the oral tissues are settling in or molding to the new denture, it’s not uncommon that an area may rub or pinch and a minor irritation may begin to reveal itself. If you develop soreness, discomfort, or if anything troubles you at all, one of our experienced patient care coordinators will help arrange an appointment to adjust this and relieve your discomfort immediately! Your comfort is always a priority for us at Denture & Dental Services. We want you to look and feel natural and to smile with confidence!
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2. Will my dentures need to be replaced?
Yes, dentures are not permanent, the mouth is a dynamic structure. The oral tissues and the bone change shape and additionally, the denture material itself wears in due time. Eventually, certain microbes and bacteria get locked into the acrylic and cannot be cleaned out leading to staining and bad breath. Most importantly, the denture material and teeth wear down. As the denture teeth wear down, the bite changes and can actually collapse the bite if you wear them for too long a period of time without replacing them. The average lifetime of a denture is four to six years. Although, a yearly oral exam is highly recommended in order to screen for pre-cancer and to protect against oral cancer as well as to check your denture fit.
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An initial denture or immediate denture that is inserted directly after multiple extractions require either being refit (relined) at the end of nine to twelve months or it may need to be replaced. Some people refer to an immediate denture that is placed after oral surgery as a “temporary denture”. It is not really temporary, it is a real denture made of the best materials, however, the shape of your gums and your bone after oral surgery are actually what is temporary. The changes to your bone and gums stabilize by nine to twelve months when a second denture may be required.
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3. How will I feel eating with dentures?
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An experienced denture wearer still has to get used to the height of the new bite and occlusion. It will take a couple of days or weeks to feel natural like the old denture or set of dentures. Chewing with their previous dentures makes it easier for the experienced person to adjust very quickly. For the beginner, I highly recommend that you start with a softer diet and that you progress to more challenging foods. Additionally, I recommend that you take smaller bites and cut your food into smaller pieces than you may have previously. As you become used to chewing with your new dentures, you can return to your normal diet.
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Eat soft foods. If you are having trouble eating, follow these tips:
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Take small bites of soft foods, such as eggs and yogurt.
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Don’t eat anything sticky.
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Chew your food slowly.
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When you chew, use both sides of your mouth at the same time. This prevents your dentures from moving forward or tipping.
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Eating will become easier as you get used to your dentures. In time, you should be able to eat most foods.
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4. Are there any foods I should avoid?
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Beyond the obvious things such as ice cubes, steak bones, ribs, chicken bones, pizza crust, and hard crusty bread like bagels, there are no real restrictions. In fact, I never advise people not to eat bagels, but to be careful around the crusty parts. The angle that you bring your teeth together in the front may potentially lead to fracture. All foods are essentially doable with practice.
On that note, if you have been eating all things well with your old dentures and suddenly, you are experiencing difficulty chewing foods that you never had issue with before, call us to schedule an appointment to check the current fit and assess the state of your existing denture or dentures at (850)-650-7979.
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5. Will I need to use denture paste or adhesive on new dentures?
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There have been many advances in denture technology that produce dentures better fitting and performing dentures! As a result, dentures that we design for you at Denture & Dental Services usually fit properly and typically don’t require adhesives. When you are just getting used to your dentures, adhesives may be used for that brief period.
I always point out that if an existing denture wearer has been wearing old, worn-out dentures with the aid of denture adhesive they will most likely want to continue to use adhesives out of habit. By that same token, it is not necessary to “overload” a denture with the use of an adhesive. It is to be used sparingly, if at all, to assist in improving retention.
Denture adhesives help your dentures stay in place and make them feel more secure, but denture adhesives should not be used to fix old or poorly fitting dentures. When using an adhesive, follow the instructions carefully. If you wear dentures, it is very important you keep your mouth clean and healthy. You should also only wear dentures that fit properly. Otherwise, the following problems may occur:
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Gum and mouth irritation
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Problems eating and speaking
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Dentures that move around in your mouth
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Mouth infections
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Another option to create the feeling of having your own natural teeth again would be to consider implant-supported dentures. The placement of four implants in the upper jaw allows the palate to be uncovered for a full upper denture and for the lower denture, you don’t have to use your tongue and cheek muscles to keep your full lower denture in place.
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6. Which type of partial denture is best for me?
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Upon a thorough examination of your existing teeth, we will advise you as to which partial options are most recommended. The exact type of partial denture that is best for each individual depends on the quality, location, and amount of remaining natural teeth. Cosmetics and comfort are always our main focus at
Denture & Dental Services. My staff and I strive to help you achieve your desired goal. We offer a variety of dentures and will discuss their advantages and drawbacks for your specific needs. We are Northwest Florida's denture destination for quality dentures for over twenty years. Our own in house denture laboratory allows us to create comfortable confident smiles affordably and with great care and efficiency so you can smile with confidence!
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7. Do I have to take my dentures out at night?
I do recommend that you take your dentures out at night so your oral tissue has some time off during a 24 hour period of time to breath. If taking them out for six to eight hours does not fit your personal lifestyle, then perhaps for an hour in the morning and again for a brief period before bedtime, as long as you organize a rest period of sorts.
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8. How do I take care of my new dentures?
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Good denture hygiene is key to maintaining your oral health and long-term satisfaction with your dentures. When cleaning your dentures, Dr. Masone advises that you first rinse away loose food particles thoroughly. Dentures do need to be cleaned every day. After a meal, you may simply rinse them. However, at least once a day they either need to be cleaned with a denture-cleaning tablet in a cup such as with Efferdent or Polident or you may brush them. You should use only a denture paste typically sold in the same aisle of the drug store or the supermarket as the denture adhesives. Apply the denture paste with a soft toothbrush, regular toothpaste is too abrasive. Brush every surface, scrubbing gently to avoid damage. Additionally, some denture wearers opt to have their dentures professionally cleaned at our office.
Furthermore, it is important to brush your gums, tongue, and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before inserting your dentures. This not only leads to a fresh clean feeling, but it’s important to stimulate your oral tissues, as well as remove plaque from all areas of your mouth. For more information about how to care for your dentures or to make an appointment with Dr. Masone, call us at (850)-650-7979.
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9. What should I do if my denture breaks?
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At Denture & Dental Services in Destin, we understand how important your dentures are to you. Please call Dr. Masone immediately when your denture breaks or if a tooth comes off the denture at (850)-650-7979. The experts at Denture & Dental Services will repair your broken denture professionally in our in house denture lab! Never try to fix your dentures yourself because you may cause irreparable damage that will ruin them permanently. Those that try over the counter products, toxic crazy glue, and Youtube “do it yourself instructions”, often wind up having to replace their dentures entirely. Also, it’s not a good idea to wear damaged dentures, as this can lead to oral health problems and discomfort.
Some dentures, especially those that have been worn for many years, may need to be replaced if they crack or break. Our experienced team is always happy to help with any denture problem, whether they need to be repaired or replaced.
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Please click here for more information about our Same-Day Denture Repairs.
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10. Why am I have trouble speaking or why do I sound funny with my new dentures?
Speak slowly when you first get dentures, it may be hard for you to say certain words. Be patient and practice saying the challenging words aloud and speak slowly. If your dentures move around when you laugh or smile, gently bite down and swallow to put them back in place. Read out loud often for the first several days and your speech will improve immensely.
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For more information or to schedule your free consultation, please contact us today!
Get the quality you deserve at the price you can afford. The experts at Denture and Dental Services in Destin will present you with your options to help you choose the denture that is best suited to your individual needs and lifestyle. We want to make the life-changing, long-lasting benefits of restorative and cosmetic dentistry accessible.
Our team of dedicated professionals will work closely with you to design a treatment that suits your needs, budget, and end goals. Going to the dentist is an investment in time and money, and we want you to be thrilled with your final outcome. We will explain all your options and their advantages and drawbacks. At Denture & Dental Services, we will work hard to deliver a result that goes above and beyond your expectations!
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There is no substitute for experience. Call today to schedule your free consult at (850)-650-7979 and see the difference 35 years of experience and care can make in your life.