A new pair of dentures is something to celebrate! But before you can fully enjoy all the benefits of your restored smile, you’ll need to figure out how to make your prosthetics work for you. While they will eventually become like second nature, adjusting to dentures can take about a month, even if you’ve worn them previously.
Here are a few tips for easing the transition and getting used to eating and speaking with your new teeth!
Talking with Dentures On
Speaking with dentures on is not difficult, but you may still struggle at first with enunciation. You may even have a slight lisp for the first few weeks, but this will go away within the first month with regular practice. To speed up your speech progress, here are some helpful pointers:
- Be sure to bite and swallow food before speaking. This helps reposition your dentures and prevent them from slipping.
- Practice reading aloud while wearing your new dentures. This will allow you to practice saying common words and give you an idea of how fast you should speak in conversations.
- Practice speaking at a normal volume, narrate your day if you are alone, or have conversations with friends or family to get adjusted.
- Count from 60 to 90, as this helps you get used to speaking more complex sounds.
Should your dentures begin clicking when you speak, it’s generally because the muscles in your lips, cheek, and tongue are trying to force your dentures out, but slowing your speech can help stop this until your mouth gets used to them.
Eating With Dentures
It may be a bit challenging eating with your new dentures during the first month, but most patients find success starting with soft or pureed foods and gradually working up to harder foods once you’re ready. Try things like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and yogurt.
Remember, your new dentures will take some getting used to, but with regular use and a bit of practice, you’ll be using them like a pro within about a month!
About Our Practice
At Painesville Dental Group, we know that your smile is more than just about your appearance. That’s why we offer a variety of oral health treatments that protect, improve, and restore your teeth. Whether you are missing just one tooth or have none of your natural teeth left, dentures are an excellent way to bring back the appearance and function of your smile. To learn more about dentures, please visit our website or call us today at 440-354-2183.