MENU

Dental Health Blog

How Long Does it Take to Adapt to New Dentures? – What You Should Know

Smiling with confidence can be a priceless thing for those missing teeth. For many people, dentures offer the ideal solution for replacing missing teeth and reclaiming their smile. However, it may take some time to fully adjust to wearing dentures as your mouth adapts.

For individuals who have replaced missing teeth with dentures, it may take some time before their mouth feels comfortable. Unlike natural teeth, dentures function and feel differently, often causing gum irritation and making the adjustment process challenging. 

Before feeling overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensations of speaking or eating with dentures, it's important to remember that this period of discomfort is temporary. 

By knowing “How long does it take to adapt to new dentures?” you can make your experience of wearing new dentures much easier. 

Getting Used to Adapting to New Dentures

Getting Used to Adapting to New Dentures

Day 1

Begin by eating soft foods like mashed potatoes, pudding, and ice cream, which are gentle on your gums. Many first-time denture users find that starting with these soft options helps make the transition to dentures smoother. Even if your dentures feel uncomfortable initially, try to wear them as much as possible to speed up the adjustment process.

Day 2 to 14

As your mouth adjusts to the dentures, you may notice an increase in saliva production. A helpful tip for managing excess saliva is eating candy to encourage more natural swallowing. You may also experience sore spots from the dentures. Rinsing with warm salt water can provide relief, but if the soreness continues, visit your dentist for an adjustment. 

Speaking may be difficult in the beginning, but regular practice will help over time. A useful trick is to bite down gently before speaking to help the dentures settle into place. Relaxing your facial muscles can also make you look and feel more natural.

Note: If you recently had teeth extracted or are wearing a full set of dentures, expect a longer adjustment and healing period. 

Day 15 to 29

By now, you’re relearning how to talk and eat, and the good news is that both excess saliva and sore spots should have reduced. This is an ideal time to start using a denture adhesive to improve the fit and comfort of your dentures. You can also gradually introduce harder foods in small bites, taking your time to chew thoroughly.

Day 30

After about 30 days of wearing dentures, they should be well broken in, allowing you to enjoy most of your daily activities confidently. Remember to schedule regular check-ups with your prosthodontist to ensure your dentures remain in good condition. Dentures typically need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years.

6 – 12 Months

While many people begin to feel more comfortable with their dentures within the first few weeks, achieving full comfort can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months. This extended adaptation period is due to the body’s natural process of adjusting to foreign objects in the mouth, which takes time for muscles, tissues, and nerves to fully adapt.

5 Tips to Adapt to New Dentures

  • Give it Time

While some patients adjust to wearing dentures within a few days, others may need a bit longer to feel comfortable with their new smile. It takes time for your tongue, gums, and facial muscles to adapt to having a full set of teeth again. Initially, your mouth may feel crowded, but this sensation will fade. Dentists generally recommend giving yourself about 30 days to fully adjust to wearing dentures.

  • Wear Your Dentures Every Day

In the beginning, dentures may feel unnatural, and you might be tempted to remove them frequently throughout the day. However, it's best to wear them consistently unless you're experiencing significant discomfort or sore spots. Regular wear helps accelerate your adjustment process.

  • Practice Makes Perfect

Speaking, eating, and smiling will all feel a bit different when you first start wearing dentures, but as with many things, practice makes it easier. 

Begin by eating softer foods to adjust to the sensation of chewing with dentures, taking small bites, and chewing slowly. Avoid sticky foods and ice, as these can damage both dentures and natural teeth. To improve your speech, practice reading or singing aloud until you’re comfortable with how the dentures feel when talking, smiling, and laughing.

  • Follow the Guidelines

Your dentist will likely provide you with specific instructions for denture care. As a rule, you should clean your dentures daily and soak them overnight. Removing and cleaning them each night allows your gums to rest and keeps your dentures in good condition. 

While denture adhesive can help hold them in place, you should prioritize a proper fit to ensure comfort. If you find yourself using adhesive frequently, it may be time to have your dentures adjusted.

  • Stay in Touch with Your Dentist

Mild soreness and increased saliva production are common in the early stages. Make sure that you stay in touch with your dentist in case you experience any kind of new or persistent pain, as this may be a sign that your dentures need an adjustment. This is usually an easy fix, so don't hesitate to reach out if any issues arise.

Conclusion

Most people take about a month to adjust to dentures. If you continue to experience soreness or issues, your dentist can assist with improving the fit or offer other solutions. Eventually, your dentures will enable you to perform most of your usual activities without pain or discomfort.

Dentures work in a similar way to natural teeth, but there is an adjustment period. Being aware of this learning curve and getting a general idea of “How long does it take to adapt to new dentures?” can help you stay patient and committed to the process. 

Schedule an appointment with Stoney Trail Dental and get more useful tips on how to adapt to your new dentures.

Book a consultation today. 

FAQs

Why do dentures feel uncomfortable at first?

Dentures are foreign objects in your mouth, and your gums, tongue, and muscles need time to adapt. Initial discomfort, soreness, and increased saliva production are common and are usually the reason why dentures feel uncomfortable at first. 

Can I speed up the adjustment process?

Wearing your dentures consistently, practicing speech, and eating with them can help speed up the adjustment. If pain or irritation persists, your dentist may adjust the fit.

What can I eat while adjusting to dentures?

Start with soft foods like mashed potatoes, soup, and yogurt. Gradually introduce harder foods as you become more comfortable chewing with dentures.

When should I contact my dentist during the adjustment period?

If you experience persistent soreness, excessive pain, or issues with fit after the first few weeks, contact your dentist for a denture adjustment or advice on how to address the issues.

Gurshant

Medically reviewed by Dr. Gurshant Grewal - a Registered Dentist on September 18, 2024

Recent Posts

This is a space where we answer your questions, address major or minor concerns and keep you informed on dentist things. We want to share our thoughts and advice so you can be 100% positive of your dental choices. Educate yourself on the ins and outs of dentist practices by staying informed.
See All Our Blog Posts
menu-circle
Stoney Trail Dental Logo White
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram Skip to content