Denture Problems

Denture Problems

A lot has changed since George Washington chewed over America's early problems with wooden teeth. But some things never change--like the problems caused by a new set of dentures: slipping, sore gums, excess saliva (or not enough of it) and difficulty chewing or talking.

True, the nations 23 million denture wearers have it a lot easier than their whittle-toothed forefathers, thanks to advances in denture technology. "But most people don't realize how long it takes to really get used to a new set of dentures," says Frank Wiebelt, D.D.S., associate professor and chairman of the Department of Removable Prosthodontics at the College of Dentistry at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. "For most people, it takes between four and six weeks."

During that time, a new set of choppers may need a hopperful of early adjustments, which can lead to plenty of frustrations. But before you let frustrations get the upper hand and you toss those new dentures across your neighborhood river, try these problem solvers that the Father of Our Country never knew.

Steam your vegetables. "You tend to bite your cheek or tongue when you get a new set of dentures--particularly your first set," says Dr. Wiebelt. To avoid this, chew slowly. Also, stay away from raw vegetables or anything else that's crunchy or difficult to chew. "It's funny, because one of the first things my patients want to eat when they get new dentures is a steak and a salad, and both are among the most difficult things to eat," he says. "A steak is very tough. And believe it or not, lettuce is also difficult to chew. So eat your vegetables, but eat them steamed, and try to avoid anything that's tough for the first two weeks or so.

Read out loud. New dentures can make talking difficult for the first week or so. One of the best ways to overcome this problem is to read out loud, advises Jerry F. Taintor, D.D.S., an endodontist in Memphis, Tennessee. As you're reading, listen to your pronunciation and your diction and correct what doesn't sound right.

"Keep in mind that you're probably more aware of any changes in speech than anyone else is. But any time you speak out loud--whether reading or just talking to yourself in the car-you help yourself accommodate more quickly," says Dr. Wiebelt.

Videotape yourself. A videotape can help you, suggests George A. Murrell, D.D.S., a prosthodontist in Manhattan Beach, California. A videotape allows you to see what others see when you're talking. And a dentist can use the pictures to determine any problems in jaw or lip movements.

Massage your gums. To relieve sore gums associated with new dentures, massage your gums several times a day, following this routine recommended by Richard Shepard, D.D.S., a dentist in Durango, Colorado. Place your thumb and index finger over your gum, with your index finger on the outside. Massage each section of sore gum by squeezing and rubbing with your thumb and finger. This will promote circulation and give your gums a healthy firmness.

Drink a lot of water. New denture wearers often suffer from either dry mouth or excessive saliva. Either way, frequent sips of water will solve the problem, says Dr. Wiebelt. "Excessive saliva results because the mouth can't tell the difference between the dentures and food in the early going. By sipping water, you wash away the excessive saliva that can cause a gagging or sick feeling." Sucking on hard candy also helps dry mouth, but sipping water is better, especially for people who are overweight, have diabetes or suffer from serious tooth decay.

Don't use adhesives. If you're having trouble with dentures slipping, don't reach for a denture adhesive. If you continually add denture creams and powder, a layer builds up between gums and dentures, which can cause the gum and bone to shrink over time, says Dr. Wiebelt. "The best thing to do is just wait it out, because slipping problems usually end in a week or so. If they last longer, there's probably a problem with the fit, and you should see your dentist." If you must use adhesives, be sure to clean your dentures and your gums thoroughly each night to remove all the adhesive.