Making the transition to wearing dentures can be quite jarring. You may have gone through a period of not having many teeth to now having a full set of teeth. In addition, these new teeth are not completely stationary since they can slip around in your mouth. Here are some helpful tips that you should know as a new denture wearer.

Gradually Work Up To Wearing Them Full Time

Don't make the mistake of thinking that you'll be able to pop your dentures in and immediately get used to wearing them. It's a good idea to work your way up to it by wearing dentures for a short amount of time. Then gradually wear them for longer periods of time until you feel comfortable wearing them. 

Use A Dental Adhesive

The dentures in your upper jaw are likely to slip down when eating and talking. Many people use adhesive to make wearing those upper dentures easier. You'll start by making sure that your mouth is dry, then place the adhesive onto the outside part of the dentures that touch your gums. Then you place the dentures in your mouth and press them firmly against the surface. Just make sure to not get any adhesive on the chewing surface.

Practice With Speaking And Eating

It is going to take a while to speak and eat like normal when wearing dentures. You may be more comfortable practicing your speech in front of a mirror in private, rather than immediately learning how to talk again in front of other people. The same can also be said about eating since it will feel different to chew foods. 

Clean The Dentures Regularly

Even though you have artificial teeth, you still need to clean them daily to remove the bacteria and plaque that are on them. Start by running the dentures under water to get rid of loose food. Then you can brush all surfaces of the dentures with a toothbrush with soft bristles. Rinse off the cleaning solution and let them soak overnight in a cleaning solution. You should then brush the dentures again in the morning to rinse off that cleaning solution.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Having dentures doesn't mean that you never have to visit a dentist again. It's still a good idea to go so that they can inspect the dentures for damage and check on the health of your gums. You need healthy gums to wear dentures, so it is important that you do not let your gums deteriorate even more.

To learn more about dentures, contact a dental clinic in your area such as Dental Care Associates.