What Do I Need To Know?
Here are some things about wearing dentures you might not have known of but could help a loved one who is transitioning to life with dentures.
Forty-nine million adults have made the transition to dentures or partials. And dentures aren't just for old people: Two-thirds of all denture wearers received their dentures before the age of 50.
It's completely normal for new denture and partial wearers to feel anxious or overwhelmed. It will take some time to make the transition - and they'll need your help.
For a more secure, comfortable fit, the denture wearer in your life might want to consider using a denture adhesive.
Denture wearers shouldn't use ordinary toothpaste to clean dentures - it can scratch them, creating hiding places where odor-causing bacteria can grow. Purchase products specially designed for denture care.
Dentures should be rinsed or cleaned after every meal. And a Deep Clean soak should be used once a day. Look for products that meet the specific needs of the denture wearer in your life.
Remind the denture wearer close to you that it's important to remove their dentures for eight hours each day to rest the mouth and give the gums a chance to breathe.
It will take somewhere between three months and a year for a new denture wearer to make the transition to living well with dentures.
Just because someone wears dentures doesn't mean they can stop going to the dentist. It's very important to have regular oral exams and to check with your dentist to know when it's time for a new set. Sometimes that might even mean that you have to make the appointment for a loved one.
The most important thing to remember is to relax. Change can be scary for everyone involved, but if you keep a positive attitude, make sure that your loved one takes time to get used to the changes, and help find the right products for them, you'll both be on the way to living well with dentures.
And that's definitely something to smile about.