What to Expect from the First Month of Having Dentures

Dentures can completely change the lives of patients who are missing teeth, offering the ability to eat and talk in ways that they may not have been able to for a very long time. However, like any big change in life, you’ll need to take a little bit of time to get used to your new dentures.

That said, lots of people have similar experiences when it comes to the first month or so of wearing dentures, so it may be useful for expectant patients to learn from them. Here’s what the first few weeks after getting dentures look like for most people.

First Day

Often, people have certain teeth extracted before they get dentures. They can wait for these wounds to heal before they get their dentures, but often, they will receive them directly after the extraction.

In this situation, the dentures act like a bandage that protects the extraction area. As a result, dentists will probably recommend wearing the dentures for a full 24 hours after the patient gets them. Notably, this is the only time that it’s recommended to do this—afterward, it’s important to let dentures soak in a cleaning solution overnight to give the gums time to rest.

First Two Weeks

As the gums continue to heal, they’re likely to shrink over time. This usually means that patients will get their dentures relined frequently for the first few weeks or so of having them. It’s also normal to have an excess of saliva or sore spots during this period.

After Two Weeks

After the first two weeks or so, patients deal with less discomfort as a result of their prosthetic. The hurdle then is getting used to actually living with dentures. Talking, for example, may require a little bit of getting used to—new denture patients often report having a sort of lisp that needs to be worked on. Practicing reading aloud and focusing on problem words until they can say them easily tends to be the best way to do this.

At around the 30-day mark, most patients are fully healed and used to the prosthetic. Everyone’s experience with dentures is a little different, but hopefully this guide gave you a good idea of what you can expect from getting fitted for dentures.

About Our Practice

At Whitinsville Family Dentistry, we believe that great dental care doesn’t have to come at the expense of comfort. We pride ourselves on being able to balance offering our patients the highest level of customer service and dental care that can get you the smile you’ve always been looking for. And with flexible financing options for our patients, we ensure that everyone can get the care they need to feel their best.

If you have any questions about how to adapt to wearing dentures, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (508) 234-8107.