Denture Instructions

Instructions for Home Denture and Partial Care

 

Eating:

 

    Gaining competency while eating will probably take longer than anything else.  At first, you should select foods that require little chewing, such as certain cereals, eggs, ground meat, and soups.  Cut food into smaller pieces, chew slowly and don’t be embarrassed if it takes you longer to chew a meal.  Place food at the corners of your mouth. Avoid placing in the center of your front teeth, because this may cause the denture to tip.  Be careful. The denture will delay temperature perception and food may not be perceived as too hot until it is too late.  With time, you should be able to gradually eat tougher foods with comfort.

 

 

Tongue Training:

 

            Develop the habit of resting your tongue in the floor of your mouth so that the tip just touches the lower front teeth.  This will help keep the lower denture in place.  With practice, correct placement of the tongue will become automatic. If you have trouble pronouncing words, read to yourself in a loud voice.  Repeat several times any words that don’t sound right until you have mastered the sound.

            Coughing and sneezing can unseat the dentures.  As a precaution cover your mouth to prevent any embarrassment.  If you experience nausea, remove your dentures to prevent damage from vomiting.

 

 

Maintenance:

 

            It is important to keep the denture clean in order to avoid odors and staining.  Always hold denture over a partially filled sink when cleaning.  If you drop the denture, the water will ease the fall and prevent damage.  Brush the denture, your tongue and roof of your mouth.  Leave your dentures out at night to allow your gums to rest.  If oral tissues are to remain healthy, they must have six to eight hours of rest every day.  This allows better blood, lymph, and saliva flow in the gums, releases daily stress to the tissue, and allows the cheek and tongue to naturally massage the tissue.

 

            Upon initial delivery of the denture, adjustments will be made within 24 hours.  Tissue trauma will occur due to the new contours of the dentures and new and stronger forces being introduced with chewing.  Dentures need to be left in for the entire FIRST 24 hours to allow more accurate diagnosis of sore tissue.