Dentures just a matter of getting used to them?

Have you just been given dentures? Well, you are in good company as nearly 1 in 5 adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland live with some form of denture for their natural teeth. As people start to get used to them, many questions arise with regard to their new life with dentures. We will answer some of the most frequently asked questions:

Why do I need dentures in the first place?

Professional replacement of lost or extracted teeth is a positive thing for your oral health and appearance. Like natural teeth, partial or full prostheses support your cheeks and lips from within. Without this support, slackened facial muscles may make you look older or cause problems with eating and speaking. Wearing dentures furthermore helps to ensure that you have healthy jaws and oral mucosa, for example by preventing the surviving opposite tooth from outgrowing its missing ‘antagonist’.

So do dentures look natural?

With the latest materials there is no problem in imitating the exact colour of your natural teeth or offering a colour selection matching your skin type.

And if you clean your dentures regularly from the start with the right cleanser your dentures will continue to look good for a long time.

How quickly do you get used to dentures?

Depending on individual sensitivity, the unfamiliar feel vanishes relatively quickly and the dentures will soon feel like a part of you.

What should I do if the dentures do not fit properly?

Although dentures generally fit very well as they are closely tailored to jaw shape and structure, a bonding agent may offer you more assurance, especially in critical situations such as eating, speaking or laughing. It also makes them more comfortable to wear and helps prevent pressure points as it acts as a wafer-thin elastic cushion between denture and jaw.

If your dentures are too slack, for example if your jaw has changed, you should consult your dentist even outside your usual 6-month check-up.