Kids and Teeth from Babyhood to University

If you're about to receive your first set of full or partial dentures, there are a few things you need to know. It will be wonderful to be able to speak, smile, and eat with confidence once again. But before this can happen, there are a few aspects of new dentures you should be aware of.

Tooth Removal

In the short-term, your smile might be slightly worse. This happens if your dentist needs to remove any damaged teeth before the dentures can be fitted. The removal of these teeth will require a short healing time, and only then can the dentures be fitted. Your dentist might be able to offer you a temporary prosthetic device similar to dentures if you're worried about how you look with missing teeth. Be sure to ask about the turnaround time with your dentures. A larger dental clinic might produce the dentures themselves, or they might be produced at an off-site laboratory which can take slightly longer.

Visiting Your Dentist

If you're only receiving partial dentures, you will still need to take proper care of your remaining teeth. This means you still need to visit your dentist on a regular basis. Your dentist will also want to periodically check your dentures. Your gums will slightly recede with age (which is perfectly natural), and your dentures will occasionally need to be resurfaced to make them fit properly.

Slightly Uncomfortable, Not Painful

Dentures might be slightly uncomfortable at first. This is to be expected while you get used to the feeling of having the dentures in your mouth, and the feeling will quickly pass. However, they should not be painful. If your new dentures irritate your gums or the roof of your mouth, you need to see your dentist as soon as possible. The dentures need to fit perfectly, and it can take a few adjustments to make sure that this is the case. It's a problem that can be quickly and easily fixed.

Speaking

Dentures will not lead to a permanent speech defect, but you will find that the added weight of the dentures will make you speak slightly differently. This is just a matter of practice. Don't be worried about speaking, and regular speaking will re-train the muscles in your mouth to allow for the extra weight of the dentures.

Now that you're aware of these aspects of getting your first set of dentures, you will find that the transition will be much more straightforward. Contact a dental clinic for more information.