Partial dentures are a convenient alternative to dental implants or bridges when you are missing some but not all of your teeth. While many people use partial dentures without problems, many new users struggle with them shifting out of the correct position. These six top tips can help you ensure a secure fit.
1. Practice Eating With Partial Dentures
Eating with partial dentures requires some practice to feel natural and familiar. Make the transition easy on yourself by starting out with foods that do not require much chewing, such as soup, mashed potatoes, yoghurt and well-cooked vegetables. Gradually add more challenging foods, such as bread, meat and fruit, when you gain confidence chewing with your new teeth.
2. Give Up Gum
Although you can enjoy most foods with partial dentures, chewing gum is best avoided. The act of constantly chewing on sticky gum can cause partial dentures to shift out of their position in the gums, causing embarrassment or discomfort. For fresher breath, try sucking on a sugar-free mint instead.
3. Keep Dentures Moist
Partial dentures are mounted on soft, pliable material, which is moulded to the shape of your gums. This material can become brittle if the dentures get too dry, so it is essential to keep your partial dentures in water or denture soaking solution when you are not wearing them.
4. Don't Force a Fit
If you struggle to get your partial dentures seated correctly in the gums, the frustration can make it very tempting to try to force them into place. However, applying too much force to your dentures could cause them to bend or deform so that they no longer fit. Be patient and use a mirror to help you gently guide your dentures into place.
5. Use Denture Adhesive
Some users of partial dentures do not require denture adhesive, but if you are struggling to keep your dentures in place, it can be very helpful. You can purchase powder-based or paste adhesives from pharmacies.
6. Attend Regular Dental Checkups
As you age, it is likely that your mouth and jaw will change shape, which can lead to your partial dentures no longer fitting correctly. If you attend regular dental checkups, your dentist can observe when your dentures no longer fit properly and adjust them to ensure a more comfortable, secure fit. During the checkup, your dentist can also look for signs of periodontal disease, which could impair the ability of your gum tissue to hold your partial dentures securely in place.
For many years, I hated the way my teeth looked. They always looked discoloured so I would do everything I could to hide my smile. On family photos, my mom would always complain that I never gave a grin like my brothers and sisters. When I graduated college, I decided I needed to take action. I contacted my local dental surgery and asked them about tooth whitening treatments. The dentist was great and gave me all of the info I needed. After the treatment, my smile was like a million dollars. I decided to start this blog to educate others about the benefits of teeth whitening and other dental treatments.