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Tooth Be Told: 6 Ways Your Life Will Change With Dentures

Change can be good or bad, but in most cases, it can take some getting use to. Such is the case with new dentures, where, in the beginning, the change may seem strange or even bothersome; however, in the long run, the change turns out to be something very positive. Here's how you can expect your life to change with new dentures, for the most part:

1. You'll Be Self-Conscious, At First

As with anything different about you, you'll likely feel as if all eyes are on you for a while. You may wonder how the new set of teeth looks, ask friends if you have something from lunch stuck somewhere in them, and even use your hands to cover up your mouth during this brief but awkward period of adjustment. Getting dentures is a big deal, even if you're so much better off than you were with your real teeth.

2. You May Have A Slight Lisp

Structurally, even a tiny change can cause huge alterations in the way your mouth forms words; thus, a slight lisp or other minor change in how your voice sounds coming out from behind the new dentures is to be expected. With time and practice, though, your speaking should return to what it sounded like prior to the dentures. Try uttering numbers with sixes and sevens in them, to eliminate that newbie lisp and read to yourself in a mirror, as that will help you adjust to the new oral sensations when speaking, such as not being able to feel all of the roof of your mouth with your tongue.

If you use your voice for professional purposes and need to skip the normal adjustment hiccups, consider investing in speech therapy, which should expedite the learning process and have you sounding like a pro again soon. Still, it could take a few weeks to completely adapt, so plan on sitting out the major presentations if a little lisp will lead to a lot of woe.

3. Eating Might Seem Weird For A While

While dentures have come a long way from when George Washington had a pair made of hippopotamus ivory (not wood, as rumor holds), they're still an entirely new apparatus inside your mouth, and your diet should reflect that, for the time being. Start out with room-temperature liquids, followed by soft foods; once you feel like you're in control of the chewing and swallowing with little to no discomfort or disorientation, and according to the recommendations of your dental care professionals, gradually move to a more normal diet. Be careful with warm liquids, though, as savoring them on the palate for too long could result in dentures becoming a little loose.

While you will learn a lot as you go, you don't want to learn too many of these things the hard way.

4. Your Bedtime Routine Won't Be "Routine"

You're probably accustomed to brushing, flossing, and turning in at night, without giving much thought to your teeth; however, with new dentures, you're likely going to need to experiment with what works best for you. You might prefer to sleep without the teeth, but that could leave you with tender facial muscles or contribute to wrinkles, since teeth are natural supporters of your entire facial structure. Trying to sleep with them could result in a sore mouth, though, particularly if you are prone to grinding your teeth. As time rolls on, your path to a great night's sleep should become clearer, but at first, prop yourself up with a good pillow, lying on your back, to protect the oral area from the typical perils of sleeping.

5. There Could Be Some Temporary Discomfort

No matter what you do or don't do with your new dentures, it's reasonable to expect some level of discomfort, either in the form of minor pain or general weirdness. You'll need to discover what works best for you personally, but don't be afraid to talk to the voices of experience in the meantime, such as the folks at your dental office or people in online forums. Teeth play a significant role in so much of life, from aesthetics to eating, so you want your dentures to be comfortable as soon as possible.

6. Soon, Your Dentures Will Look, Feel, And Function Superbly!

As you adjust to the new dentures, your mouth will, too. The teeth will settle, facial muscles will adapt, and before long, everything will feel normal but with a highly functional, complete set of teeth. Dentures will change your life for the better but even more so if you've been dealing with broken, missing, or otherwise poorly performing teeth for some time. Although there are a few bumps along the way to get used to, before long, you should feel totally comfortable with your new teeth and the above five issues will be history.

With a complete set of strong and capable, perfectly-pearly whites in your mouth, life should improve in a number of ways, albeit following a brief period of adaptation and, perhaps, awkwardness. This change should be good for you, in the long-term. Make an appointment with a dental clinic like Bristol Dental Group for more information.


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