No denture wearer ever expects to utter the words ‘I can’t wear my dentures' which speaks to the despair of not adjusting to the life-changing event that getting prosthetic teeth can be for some people. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you are a despairing denture wearer struggling to cope, take heart because you are not alone, there are solutions.
When your dentures don’t fit
Perhaps you recognise the following. You can’t eat, or even speak without lisping and what is worse, your dentures hurt! Your frustration levels are going through the roof. This isn’t what you expected. You think of the investment you’ve made and wonder if you’ve taken the right decision. You ask yourself if this is the way it’s going to be. Thankfully the answer is a resounding ‘no!’ Dentures can be made to fit. Not everyone has the same experience, however. Some take longer than others to get the right fit and adjust to wearing dentures.
Patient expectations
Let’s be very clear - dentures are not the same as natural teeth. This is an important fact for prospective denture wearers to understand before they commit to dentures. While implants most closely match the natural experience, they are not for everyone. The good news is hundreds of thousands of people in Australia wear removeable dentures successfully and you probably wouldn’t pick the ones that do because they are successful. So, how can you be one of those successful denture wearers? Firstly, you must give your expectations a reality check and realise that your experience may not be like any other. With that in mind, let’s talk about why your dentures don’t fit. Afterall, some people have dentures successfully fitted the first time, so why not you? It all comes back to your individuality.
The unique individual
There is something unique about being a unique individual – no pun intended. No one is exactly like you, never truer than when it comes to your mouth. There are so many factors influencing how well you’ll adjust to your dentures – what you eat, your lifestyle, your oral geography, your health, your mindset etc. It may even be a case of not having enough or the right information causing unrealistic expectations. But there are measures you can take to avoid any misaligned expectations you have.
Ways to avoid misaligned expectations
- Ask questions of those who you know to be denture wearers, perhaps family members and friends. Talk to them about their experience and solicit hints on how to adjust.
- Compile a list of questions for your prosthetist. This is the person who will make, fit and maintain your dentures for their lifetime. Their expertise is invaluable.
- Do your own research online. Find a group on Facebook for denture wearers. Members can provide valuable support and tips for success.
- Understand the role your patience and persistence play.
Why patients struggle with patience
Our smiles are a crucial part of our physical image. One has only to look at the before and after photos of people with bad teeth spectacularly transformed by dentures. How we look, our perceived self-image is important and has an influence on our overall wellbeing. In addition to the way good teeth make us look is the very important aspect of function. A denture must allow us to partake of our preferred diet for both nourishment and enjoyment. Then there is the pain factor. If our dentures don’t fit correctly, they cause pain and frustration. Pain diminishes our ability to persist during the adjustment period and see the long-term positives. We just want to be comfortable and pain free – right? We just want our denture to look good and allow us to eat and speak normally, laugh heartily and maybe even sing at the top of our lungs if we choose to.
These are all reasonable expectations, and many denture wearers will tell you this is indeed their everyday experience. What they may neglect to tell you is it doesn’t happen immediately. There is a settling-in period. Even long-term denture wearers must expect a settling-in period when they get new dentures. Because your mouth changes over time as a natural part of ageing, dentures that used to fit snugly may now be loose and a source of discomfort. After having natural teeth extracted, the time taken to heal adds an additional layer to getting used to a denture. So, the patience factor together with the expectations you may have before you get your dentures can make a huge difference to how well, and how soon you adjust. Persistence is key.
What are the common reasons people can’t wear their dentures
- Discomfort and pain after extractions
- Poor fit causing sore spots and tender gums
- Feelings of mouth fullness
- Fear of denture dislodging and falling out
- Increasing instability as your mouth changes and the dentures age
What can be done if my dentures don’t fit?
Adjustments
During the settling in phase of your new denture, or as your denture ages, you may develop sore spots or minor rubbing. These can often be corrected by your prosthetist who will make adjustments to the denture’s fit.
Denture relines
If you have had an immediate denture fitted, it may become loose in your mouth as your gums and tissues shrink and the swelling abates. A loosening fit can also be the case if your denture is old. Shrinkage of oral tissues is natural over time. To correct this, your prosthetist applies a lining to the inner surface of your denture where it contacts your palate and gums, thus restoring a snug fit.
The role of patience
Exercising patience until your gums have healed after extractions.
In the meantime, what can you do to help
- Use warm (never hot) saltwater mouth washes at regular intervals. Swishing gently over sore, abraded gums will help speed the healing process. Avoid excessive or vigorous swilling in the initial phases after extraction, as this may remove natural clotting and cause dry sockets.
- Having teeth extracted is a shock to your system and needs time to heal. Getting enough sleep and making sure you are hydrated and well-nourished is crucial. Smoothies sipped through a straw are a good way to meet your nutritional needs. Other suitable food options include foods that don’t require chewing, like soups, casseroles, custards, yogurt. Avoid foods like nuts and seeds which can get caught under the denture and aggravate.
- Follow your oral health provider’s post-surgery directions after extractions. Make use of recommended pain killing medication to get you through.
- Investigate numbing gels as a temporary measure to ease the pain of sore spots
- Explore products for stabilising your denture.
Who can help?
Remember, you don’t have to suffer in silence. While you wait for your mouth to heal, talk to others, like family and friends, who have already gone through the process. Join online forums like Dentures Support Australia on Facebook. Seek out your prosthetist for advice. He or she would not still be in business if dentures weren’t a brilliant alternative to no teeth or bad teeth
When to visit your prosthetist
Your oral health professionals have your back. Remember - follow the directions they give you. Don’t hesitate to contact them if there is a problem and better sooner than later. They have seen it all and would prefer to see you before a small problem becomes a big one.
Coping strategies while you adjust
Above all, be kind to yourself. Know that while you may be experiencing a difficult time now, it won’t always be the case. Pain has a way of concentrating one’s mind on the negative. Positively reframing what you are going through can make the experience less harrowing. Self-help author Wayne Dwyer said, ‘if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’ You can assist this reframing process in other ways like choosing foods that are gentle on your mouth, or by casting your mind ahead to imagine a time when the adjusting to your denture is complete and you are smiling, talking and eating without a second thought for the denture.
Success!
No one chooses to have dentures unless they need them. The good news is they are a very viable alternative when natural teeth are no longer an option. The hundreds of thousands of successful Australian denture wearers attest to that. If your dentures hurt, you do not need to suffer in silence. There are many avenues of help available. However, in this article we have discussed things you can do before and after having removeable dentures fitted to make the process smoother and ensure a successful outcome.
Disclaimer – Always consult your oral health professional for expert advice about your unique personal situation. The information given here is of a general nature and for the purpose of education only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your oral health specialist
Northern Rivers Denture Clinic is located in the heart of Tweed Heads, southern Gold Coast. Finally have the smile you deserve with handcrafted, quality dentures.
