Partial Dentures - Tips & Tidbits

At today's visit we inserted your partial denture, and we have scheduled a follow-up appointment in a week to check the fit of your denture. At that appointment we will also re-check your bite and make sure your gums are adapting well to your new appliance.

Following are some tips to help you adjust to your new partial denture:

• In the beginning, your partial denture may feel bulky. After a period of adjustment that sensation should disappear.
• Practice reading out loud until your tongue adjusts to the denture.
• You may notice increased salivation for the first few weeks as your mouth adjusts to having something new in it.
• Wear your partial denture all the time so it will become known which parts of the denture need adjustment.
• Practice putting the partial denture in and taking it out in front of a mirror. Never force it or bite down to try to get it into place.
• Eat soft foods and foods that have been cut into small pieces at first to get used to eating with the denture in place. Avoid very sticky or hard foods.
• Take your partial denture out at night to give the mouth tissues a period of rest. Soak it in water to keep it from drying out.

Following are some tips to help you clean and care for your new partial denture:

• Rinse your partial denture after eating to remove bits of food. Rinse your mouth as well to help prevent food from becoming lodged between your teeth and under the denture clasps.
• Never put your denture in hot water as this may warp it. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
• Clean your denture with a special denture brush every day using denture toothpaste or mild liquid soap. Regular toothpaste is too abrasive. NEVER use bleach.
• Give extra cleaning attention to the teeth under clasps as plaque can get trapped there.
• A few times a week, soak your partial denture in denture cleaner to help prevent staining and odor.
• Hold your denture over a towel or basin of water when cleaning it. This will protect it in case you accidentally drop it.

Call our office if the denture is loose, not comfortable, or needs adjusting. Do not try to adjust it yourself or it may break.