Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

How do I know if I need dentures?
You should have regular check-ups to have a dentist evaluate and care for your teeth and gums. The same approach applies to consulting a denturist. If your teeth have become painful, eating is difficult, you have broken or chipped dentures, or you’re embarrassed to smile, among other problems, make an appointment. John Lilly Dentures will advise you about your options, whether you need complete or partial dentures. 

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How will my new dentures help me?
First, you will notice your new healthy and beautiful smile, which will give you a renewed sense of self-confidence. Your dentures may also improve your appearance because they help support your facial muscles. You should find that eating is much more enjoyable after you have adjusted to your dentures, especially if you had missing teeth, oral infections and oral pain. Good oral health should help your overall general health too.
 

How will I adjust to my new dentures?
With today’s advanced materials and techniques, becoming used to the feel of your new dentures may happen more quickly than you might expect. You will need some adjustment in eating and speaking, and, as part of our service, we will guide you through the process.

You will notice right away that your new denture seems very large in your mouth. You may even experience a gag reaction to their fullness, particularly in the back of your mouth. This is a normal first reaction. Be patient. In time, with a little practice, you will adjust naturally to this initial fullness and barely notice them in your mouth.

When you first received your denture, you probably noticed an increase in the flow of saliva in your mouth. Again, this is a normal response to the unfamiliar object in your mouth. On average, most of us swallow about 600 times a day. For the first few days of wearing your new denture, you should try to swallow more frequently. In a few days (sometimes in just a few hours), your mouth will become accustomed to the denture and saliva flow will return to normal.

With eating, you may need to practice how you bite into food and move your head to tear it. You won’t be able to bite down as hard as you could with natural teeth – with natural teeth, you would chew on one side of the mouth, then the other. With your new denture, you have to take smaller bites and chew on both sides of the mouth at once (this will help prevent dislodging the denture). Be careful with hot foods and liquids, as well as with food with bones or shells. With practice and patience, you’ll be eating without difficulty.

As for speaking, you may experience a slight lisp while you adjust to placing your tongue and lips against your new denture. Practicing speech aloud with your new denture in place can help restore your normal speaking quality quickly. One of the best practice methods is to read aloud from a book or magazine in front of a mirror to get used to the new speaking position of your tongue and new teeth. This will add confidence and comfort. Another good habit is to bite and swallow prior to speaking to “set” the denture in position to improve clarity.

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How do I care for my dentures?
We will advise you how to care for your dentures so they stay healthy and comfortable. With good care, dentures should last for five to seven years. You should have regular check-ups as you would with your own teeth to check your oral health and denture fit.

1. Wear your denture up to 16 hours per day.

2. Remove your denture at night while sleeping.

3. To prevent drying, place in denture bath.

An excellent way to cleanse your denture safely and effectively is with a tablet soak in a professionally designed denture bath, in warm water. The effervescent tablet will clean food particles from crevices and spaces between teeth, remove plaque and film and eliminate microorganisms.

4. Brush your gums gently.

It’s important to protect the health of your denture-bearing tissues, so remember to brush the supporting ridges (with your denture out of your mouth) with a soft toothbrush.

5. Brush your denture daily – use unique denture brush and special denture cleaning paste.

You should brush your denture daily to maintain the bright, natural appearance of your denture and remove plaque. Remember to clean between teeth! Denture materials are more delicate than natural teeth, so ordinary toothbrushes and commercial toothpastes are too abrasive, and can damage the surfaces of your denture. It’s important to use materials specially designed for dentures.

6. Good nutrition is important.

It’s important to maintain the oral tissue and the ridge of bone supporting your denture – since their health is directly influenced by diet and nutrition, be sure to eat balanced meals and get the right amounts of vitamins and minerals every day. Avoid sticky foods and hard candy, and be careful with hot foods and liquids, as well as with food with bones or shells. If you have any questions about your diet and nutrition, give us a call, and we’ll be happy to help.

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Should I use a denture adhesive?
A denture adhesive can be a useful means of maintaining denture stability, especially during the break-in period. An adhesive can also be helpful if you have an overly thin ridge of supporting bone, an abnormality in your supporting tissues, or if certain medications or even weight loss interfere with denture fit. Or you may simply want an adhesive for the extra stability, comfort and confidence.

Denture adhesives shouldn’t be used as substitutes for dentures that have lost their fit through natural changes in the mouth, or through habits like gum chewing, nail biting and teeth grinding. It’s important to see your denturist twice a year for check-ups, to see if a refitting or relining is needed.

Your denturist can recommend the best adhesive to fit your needs. The two kinds used most often are powders and creams. Powder adhesives are usually recommended to help adapt to new dentures for patients with normal anatomical mouth structures. Cream adhesives are often recommended in cases of anatomical abnormalities such as bony ridges or abruptly descending palates, since the cream provides extra comfort and cushioning.

Please call us today for more information or to book your appointment Toll Free at: 1-833-245-2587.