Dentures Specialist
Columbia Dental
Cosmetic Dentistry & Family Dentistry serving the areas of Hamilton, NJ, Elizabeth, NJ, Bordentown, NJ, & Newark, NJ
Dentures Q & A
How Do Dentures Work?
Dentures act as a replacement for missing or damaged teeth, and in doing so they also enhance the appearance of your mouth by supporting the structures around the cheeks and lips. Because dentures are a prosthetic device, they can be taken out of your mouth when needed. Additionally, since dentures are customized to you and are made out of materials that will resemble your real teeth, they will look natural in your mouth. Dentures come in two forms: full or partial. A full denture will replace all of your teeth, while a partial denture will fill in gaps if only some teeth are missing.
How Do I Take Care of My Dentures?
Because dentures are made out of porous material, like teeth, they must be properly and thoroughly cleaned to prevent stains and maintain oral hygiene. To care for your dentures, always rinse them after eating and brush them every day before putting them in your mouth. You should also ensure that your dentures never dry out, doing so by storing them in a denture cleaner with room temperature water. Additionally, attend regular dental checkups and contact your dentist if the fit is uncomfortable or loose.
What Should I Expect When I First Get My Dentures?
When you first get your dentures, they may feel bulky or awkward. They may also cause increased saliva flow, minor irritation, or changes in the way you speak. After getting dentures, you should also alter your eating habits, specifically by cutting food into small pieces, avoiding hot foods, and avoiding hard or chewy foods. While these changes may be inconvenient, over time you will become accustomed to having dentures and the problems you experience with them should start to decrease. While some aspects of first getting dentures may be uncomfortable, you should also experience positive changes, since getting dentures can improve the appearance of your smile and your profile.
Will Dentures Change the Way I Eat or Speak?
Eating or speaking with missing teeth may be difficult, so replacing those teeth with dentures should improve the experience of doing so. It may take some time to adjust to having dentures, however, so when you first get dentures you may have to change your normal routine. For eating, you should start by eating soft food that is cut into small pieces. When eating, you should also chew on both sides of your mouth to keep even pressure on the dentures. It may be difficult to pronounce certain words with dentures as well, yet with practice reading out loud and repeating words it will become much easier. While you may be experiencing difficulty with these simple functions at first, you should be able to quickly adjust and be able to return to normal life.
Are you looking for a dentist in the city of Elizabeth or the town of Roselle? Book an appointment with us today!