Quick answer: New dentures often feel awkward for the first few weeks. They may feel loose while the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to hold them in place, a few spots may feel sore, and you may make more saliva for a while. For most people, these problems ease as the mouth gets used to the dentures. Follow up visits let us check the fit and adjust it. If soreness does not go away, call us instead of waiting it out. At Finer Smiles Dental Practice in Encino, Dr. Nairy Sekayan checks and adjusts the fit of new dentures and partials after they are placed.
What is normal in the first few weeks
Most people notice some of these changes at first:
- Your mouth feels full or crowded.
- The dentures feel loose or move when you talk or chew.
- A few spots feel tender or rubbed.
- You make more saliva than usual.
- Some words sound a little different.
Getting used to new dentures takes time. For some people it is a few weeks, and for others it can take a few months. It is common to need more than one adjustment visit in the first couple of weeks. Feeling a bit clumsy with your new teeth at first does not mean something went wrong.
Eating with new dentures
Eating will feel different at first. Dentures can make it harder to tell how hot a food or drink is, and you may not notice a small bone in your food. A few simple habits help while you practice:
- Start with softer foods and cut them into small pieces.
- Chew slowly, and try to use both sides of your mouth at the same time.
- Check the temperature of hot drinks and soups before you take a full sip.
- Leave very hard or sticky foods for later, once chewing feels steady.
Ask Dr. Sekayan which foods make sense for your type of denture and how quickly to return to your usual meals.
Speaking with new dentures
It is common for speech to feel different for a while. Reading out loud at home and speaking a little slower than usual can help your tongue and lips learn how the new teeth feel. If your dentures click when you talk, contact your dentist.
Sore spots and adjustments
Small sore spots usually mean the denture is pressing on one area of your gums. That is what adjustment visits are for. Please do not bend, file or trim your dentures at home. Let us make the adjustments so the fit stays right.
Follow the wearing schedule Dr. Sekayan gives you. When dentures are first fitted at our office, you may be asked to wear them all the time for a short period, including while sleeping, so we can quickly find and reshape any spots that cause discomfort. Once the fit is right, most people take their dentures out at night.
If you have immediate dentures, which are placed the same day teeth are removed, your gums and jaw change shape as they heal. Immediate dentures usually need more fittings, and they may need to be relined or remade after healing.
When a denture does not fit well
Sometimes the problem is not the denture itself. A few things in the mouth can keep a denture from fitting well:
- A bone spike. After teeth are removed, a small sharp point of bone can be left under the gums. A denture that presses on it can hurt or rock. This is fixed by smoothing (filing) the bone so the denture can sit evenly.
- The opposite side of the mouth. Your upper and lower teeth work together. A new denture on one arch may not fit or feel right if the opposing side has an ill fitting denture or weak teeth. That is why Dr. Sekayan does a full mouth check and plans full mouth treatment, rather than a patch on one area.
Choosing how your denture looks
Dentures are not all the same. Ask your dentist about the quality of the denture teeth, because some denture teeth look more natural than others. You can also choose the gum color, not only the color and shape of the teeth, so your denture looks right for you.
Daily care that helps from the start
A few simple habits keep your dentures clean and your mouth healthy:
- Take your dentures out and rinse off loose food after eating.
- Clean your dentures every day with water and a soft denture brush. Do not use toothpaste, which can scratch dentures.
- Once a week, clean your dentures with a denture cleanser.
- Each morning before putting them in, gently brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth with a soft brush.
- When the dentures are out of your mouth, keep them covered in water so they do not dry out or warp. Avoid hot water, which can also warp them.
- If you use an adhesive, follow the instructions exactly. Look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
When to call your dentist
Call our Encino office if your dentures:
- Still feel loose after your adjustment visits.
- Hurt or pinch your gums, or a sore spot does not heal.
- Click when you speak.
- Crack, chip or become damaged.
Even with full dentures, regular checkups still matter. At each visit we check how your dentures fit and look at your gums and the tissues in your mouth.
For an overview of the types of dentures we offer, see our Dentures and Partials page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get used to new dentures?
Many people feel more comfortable within a few weeks, and for some it takes a few months. Adjustment visits during the first weeks help a lot.
Is it normal for new dentures to feel loose?
Yes, at first. New dentures may feel loose while your cheek and tongue muscles learn to hold them in place. If they still feel loose after your adjustment visits, let us know. Sometimes a bone spike or the teeth on the opposite side affect the fit, and we can check for that.
Should I sleep with my new dentures in?
Follow the instructions your dentist gives you. Some people are asked to wear them overnight for a short time right after fitting so sore spots can be found. After that, most people remove them at night to give their gums a rest.
How should I clean my dentures?
Clean them every day with water and a soft denture brush, and do not use toothpaste. Once a week, use a denture cleanser. Keep them in water when they are out of your mouth.
Can I choose how my dentures look?
Yes. Ask about the quality of the denture teeth, since some look more natural than others. You can choose the gum color as well as the teeth.
Can I adjust my dentures myself?
No. Filing or bending a denture at home can damage it or change the fit. Please let us make any adjustments.
Do I still need dental checkups if I have full dentures?
Yes. Regular checkups let us make sure your dentures still fit well and check the health of your gums and mouth.
Book a visit in Encino
Whether you just received new dentures or are thinking about full or partial dentures, Dr. Nairy Sekayan and our team at Finer Smiles Dental Practice can check the fit, look at your whole mouth and answer your questions. New patients are welcome.
Book online or call (818) 788-2155.
Sources
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Dentures. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/dentures
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Dentures. https://medlineplus.gov/dentures.html
This article is general education, not a diagnosis or a treatment promise. Only an in person exam can determine what is right for your mouth.
