Getting new dentures is a top choice for people missing some or all of their natural teeth, but it takes some getting used to them, especially that first week. So: here’s what’s likely in store for you during your adjustment period:
- Normal stuff: You’ll probably feel some mild soreness, get a bit more saliva than normal, and your speech might sound a bit off for a couple of days. It usually clears up pretty quickly.
- Wearing your new teeth: Try to keep them in for the first 24 hours unless your dentist tells you otherwise. After that, you can wear them during the day, and take them out at night.
- Food: For now, stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed up spuds, scrambled eggs, and soups. Eat small bites, and steer clear of anything hard, sticky, or crunchy.
- Daily Denture Care: Get into the habit of cleaning your dentures and your gums every day. This will help prevent infections, bad breath, and sore spots.
- Follow-ups with your dentist: You’ll probably need to go back in for adjustments; don’t hesitate to contact them if you experience any severe pain or sore spots that aren’t clearing up.
How to Survive Your First Week Wearing Dentures
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. Full dentures replace an entire arch, while partial dentures fill the gaps when remaining teeth are still healthy. They can be placed immediately after extractions or after your gums have healed. The first week marks the beginning of a 2–4 week adjustment period as your mouth adapts to your new dentures.
A rough timeline:
- Day 1: Wear your dentures continuously (unless your dentist advises otherwise). Expect swelling, tenderness, and mild discomfort.
- Days 2–3: Soreness, extra saliva, and temporary speech changes are common as your mouth adapts.
- Days 4–7: Discomfort gradually improves, and eating soft foods becomes easier, though some sore spots may remain.
The first week is focused on healing, learning to wear your dentures comfortably, and maintaining good oral health. Make sure to schedule follow-up visits since they’ll become a normal part of the adjustment process.
Day One: Setting Yourself Up For Success
The first day with your new dentures, often on the same day as the tooth extraction, is key to a smooth recovery. Most dentists will tell you to wear those immediate dentures continuously for the first 24 hours to protect the extraction sites, reduce bleeding, and help the healing process.
You can experience discomfort, swelling, more saliva than you’re used to, and an unfamiliar bite. Take any pain meds as directed.
Stick to soft foods; try:
- Mashed potatoes.
- Applesauce.
- Yogurt
- Smoothies (no seeds) and lukewarm broth-based soups.
- Take small bites, and eat slowly.
Avoid hot drinks, booze, smoking, straws, and anything hard, crunchy, or sticky, as they can get in the way of healing. Get to that follow-up appointment within 24-48 hours so your dentist can check on your gums, adjust the dentures, and sort out any sore spots.
Days 2-7: Eating, Speaking & Just Going About Your Day With New Dentures
Days 2-7 are all about getting used to your new dentures. With a bit of practice each day, eating and talking will become much easier.
Eating with dentures:
- Stick to soft foods like scrambled eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, mashed up spuds, soft fish, bananas, and cottage cheese.
- Chop your food into tiny pieces, eat at a slow pace, and use both sides of your mouth to chew slowly.
- Avoid biting with your front teeth, and steer clear of hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
Speaking with dentures:
- A slight lisp or trouble pronouncing certain sounds is normal at first.
- Read out loud for 10-15 minutes a day, and keep repeating any tricky words to practice speaking.
- Practice in front of a mirror to build up your confidence before heading out to work or social events.
Work and social life:
- Keep things simple the first week and gradually get back to your normal routine.
- Depending on how you feel and what you do for a living, many people get back to work within a few days, while others may need up to a week.
Handling Discomfort, Sore Spots & Issues With Denture Fit During Week One
Some soreness, pressure points, and jaw fatigue are all normal during the first week as your mouth gets used to your new dentures. However, if you experience any severe pain, persistent bleeding, or signs of an infection, you should get in touch with your dentist right away.
To make things a bit more comfortable:
- Take over-the-counter painkillers as directed (and be careful not to put aspirin on your gums).
- Rinse gently with warm salt water a few times a day to soothe any sore spots.
- If swelling persists, try applying a cold compress to the outside of your face.
Some extra tips:
- Only use denture adhesive if your dentist says it’s okay, and use it sparingly.
- Get to those follow-up appointments so your dentist can sort out any pressure points and make sure the fit is right.
- If your dentures get loose, or if you experience any more pain or bleeding, get in touch with your dentist.
For most people, things do start to feel a lot better after a few weeks, with gradual improvements each day.
Cleaning Your Dentures And Keeping Your Overall Oral Health On Track From Day One
Good denture hygiene from day one makes a world of difference; your gums stay healthy, your breath stays fresh, and your dentures are in top shape.
Caring for your dentures
- Take your dentures out at night, after the first day (check with your dentist first just in case). You don’t want to be sleeping with them in for too long, or you might end up with some problems.
- Rinse off your dentures daily with some cool tap water to get rid of any food particles.
- Brush your dentures daily with a soft brush and some denture cleanser, or a really mild soap. Don’t even think about using regular toothpaste.
- Soak your dentures overnight in water or a denture soaking solution. It helps keep them clean and prevents them from getting all stained.
Caring for your mouth
- If you still have your own teeth, brush twice a day with some fluoride toothpaste and floss like normal.
- If you have full dentures, gently clean your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth with a soft toothbrush or some damp gauze. Treat your gums with care; they’re still healing.
- And remember, your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to clean around any recent extraction sites; just follow their advice.
Handle your dentures with care, clean them over a towel or in a sink filled with water so you don’t accidentally crack them. Don’t go sticking them in boiling water or using any harsh chemicals; that’s just asking for trouble. And don’t forget to schedule regular check-ins every 6-12 months to keep your dentures fitting properly.
Building Confidence: How to feel good in your new smile, and your new life
Adjusting to dentures is a real rollercoaster, both physically and emotionally. Your face might be a bit swollen for a while after your extractions, but it usually sorts itself out within a couple of weeks. One thing that can really help is practicing your smile; it’s amazing how much of a difference it makes when you start to feel more comfy with your new look.
Getting back to work and social activities is a personal thing; if you choose to tell people about your new dentures, just a simple explanation is fine. And if you start by easing back into things in a gentle way, it can make the transition a lot easier.
It’s pretty normal to feel a bit frustrated or emotional when you’re adapting to dentures, but just be patient with yourself, celebrate the little victories, and remember that most people find that they get a lot more confident after a few weeks of wearing them.
When to call your dentist and what to expect after the first week
Don’t panic, but do get in touch with your dentist if you’re experiencing any of the following:
- pain that’s getting worse instead of better.
- bleeding that just won’t stop.
- big sores that aren’t healing within 48-72 hours.
- dentures that feel like they’re about to fall out while you’re talking.
- signs of infection, like a fever, swelling, pus, or a nasty taste in your mouth.
At your follow-up appointment, your dentist will check on your healing, make any necessary adjustments to the fit of your dentures, and answer any questions you might have about eating or wearing them.
What to expect next
- weeks 2-4: your speech and eating will just keep getting better, with maybe a few small adjustments along the way.
- months 3-6: your gums will start to get more stable, and some people might need a little denture reline to keep things comfy.
- long term: your dentures will need replacing every 5-10 years, but they’ll need a reline now and then to keep them fitting properly.
The first week is probably the hardest part, but with a bit of patience, daily wear, and some follow-up care from your dentist, your new dentures will soon become second nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you sleep with your dentures in during the first week?
Keep them in for the first 24 hours unless your dentist advises otherwise, then take them out at night to let your gums get a rest and reduce the risk of infection.
How long before eating feels normal again?
Most people can start eating soft foods after a few days, but it usually takes 3-4 weeks to start feeling comfy with a wide range of foods again.
Is it normal to feel like your dentures are too big?
Yes, they probably will feel a bit bulky at first, but that feeling usually sorts itself out within a week or two.
Can dentures affect your sense of taste in the first week?
Yes, it’s pretty normal for the upper dentures to affect your taste a bit because they cover some of the roof of your mouth, but that should improve over time.
