Ten Tips to Help You Adjust to Your New Dentures

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Classic Denture Center

If you are new to wearing dentures and are concerned that you aren’t completely adjusted to wearing them immediately… You aren’t alone.

In general, it can actually take around 30 days to get used to wearing them.

It might be difficult to be patient during this time, but your denturist in Portland Oregon suggests relaxing and allowing yourself to get used to them before worrying. As you adjust, you will be learning to eat and speak again, which can definitely be a challenge.

As uncomfortable as it might be, you should probably expect some soreness at first. This is especially true if you have had some tooth extractions. These procedures inflame your gums and need time to heal.

Eating soft foods and rinsing with warm salt water will help reduce your pain and allow your mouth a chance to get used to the new situation.

Below you will find 10 denture scenarios, and some suggestions to help you overcome and adjust to them.

1. Patience. Learning to wear a denture takes time, and your mouth needs to heal and adjust. It’s important to follow your denturist’s advice and not become discouraged because everyone who gets new dentures experiences this.

2. Lowers. If you have a complete lower denture, you should know that it usually takes far longer to master than a complete upper one. Remember to take your time and try not to worry when your tongue feels strange or restricted. It will soon accustom itself to the new position. Practice makes perfect!

3. Chewing. Eating only soft foods for the first few days is important to allow your mouth to heal. Over time you can add more solid foods into the mix, and as you do try to chew slowly and evenly so that you grow accustomed to managing your denture and to the pressure on the gums when chewing and biting. Give yourself more time for meals, because the longer you take, the quicker you will master your new denture.

4. Biting. In the beginning, don’t take large bites. Cut all foods into small portions and take much smaller bites than you normally would. If and when your gum ridges are firm enough to try foods that are bitten off (bread, corn on the cob, maybe even apples), press the food back against the upper teeth when biting to stabilize the denture.

5. Sore Spots. If you are experiencing pain and/or discomfort spots on your gums, visit your denturist for an adjustment.

6. Speech. If you notice that your dentures are causing you to slur your words or make speech seem more difficult, it is always a good idea to practice reading aloud or speaking before a mirror.

7. Cleaning. Your denture should be cleaned every morning with a denture safe cleanser or soap. This will help you make sure that it isn’t harboring bacteria or plaque that could cause damage to your gums. Cleaning will also ensure that your denture stays beautiful and comfortable for as long as possible.

8. Wear and Care. Try not to remove your denture, unless you need to clean or rinse it. Your denture may warp if it is left out to dry for an extended period of time. When you remove it for the night, keep it in water.

9. Tissue Change. It is important to remember that your gum tissues change, but your denture does not. Visit your denturist on a regular basis for a complete denture checkup to make sure that your denture is functioning properly.

10. Adjustments. This one is important! Never attempt to repair, reline, or adjust your denture by yourself in any way. This is a task that must be left to your denturist.

The above tips are important to ensuring that you can be successful in wearing your new dentures! They might be uncomfortable, strange, and sore at first, but getting new dentures should be seen as an exciting new step in your life. These dentures are meant to give you confidence, beauty, and function… So if you are stressed out with the adjustment process, just remember that it’s only temporary.

After just a bit of time, you will be LOVING your new mouth and these first 30 days will be a distant memory!

At Classic Denture Center, we are dedicated to helping you achieve that goal.

Your denturist in Portland Oregon, Tanya Poleon, can ease your mind and answer any questions you might have. We’ll gladly provide you with extra tips to help you adjust to your new smile. Contact us today!

Classic Denture Center: Additional Services

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Classic Denture Center

At Classic Denture Center, we know that having missing or damaged teeth may lead you to feel self-conscious about your smile and appearance when you are around other people. This is especially true if you are missing most or all of your teeth. In these cases, the first solution introduced is dentures in Vancouver WA. That said, we understand that some people feel insecure about the idea of having dentures and would prefer another option.

So are there any alternatives to dentures?

Dental Implants

In many cases, dental implants are the most common and effective option for those who are looking to avoid dentures. A dental implant is a titanium fixture that is surgically inserted into your jawbone. These fixtures act as anchors to hold your replacement teeth in place. Following the procedure of getting implants, you will need to wait 3-6 months for bonding to occur between your jawbone and the implant to make sure that it was successful.

Many people choose to go with dental implants because they are a long-term and durable solution for missing or damaged teeth. As a matter of fact, unlike dentures that need to be replaced every so often, your dental implants could last a lifetime. Unlike dentures, your new dental implants are not removable, meaning that they are extremely comfortable when eating or speaking. If you are hoping to qualify for dental implants, you will need to have healthy gums and enough supportive bone present to bond to the implant.

Over-dentures

For those who have lost most or all of their teeth, over-dentures may be a good option. Unlike traditional dentures that are held in your mouth by an adhesive, over-dentures are very secure because they are held in place by dental implants or any remaining teeth in your mouth. They are very stable and will not move around while you are talking or chewing, making them an appealing option for missing teeth. Over-dentures also stimulate the jawbone due to how secure they are, this means that they can help slow down and even prevent any future bone loss.

Flippers

These are a much less permanent option for those struggling with tooth loss. A Flipper is a removable partial denture that acts as a temporary replacement if you have missing teeth.

Flippers are made from a denture acrylic that very closely resembles your gums and is used to support your replacement tooth or teeth.

The look of your flipper can vary depending on how many teeth you are missing. It might even have clasps like a retainer to hold the replacement tooth in place around your existing teeth.

Here are a few benefits of a dental flipper:

You will achieve improved appearance: Your flipper fills in the gaps where your teeth are missing
It can be prepared in advance: If you are having a tooth removed, a dental flipper can be made in advance so you can avoid walking around with gaps in your teeth
It will make it easier to eat: A flipper helps you chew food more easily than with a missing tooth or teeth
They provide stability for your teeth: Your flipper works to keep the teeth that are around the gap in place, preventing shifting
They are convenient: You may find that you enjoy how simple they are to wear
They are affordable: Dental flippers can be much cheaper than other options
They are easy to make: Your new flipper can be made quickly and be ready to wear within a few days

Ask your denturist today!

If you have damaged or missing teeth and want to know about options outside of dentures in Vancouver WA, contact your knowledgeable denturist at Classic Denture Center today. Tanya Poleon L.D. can help you decide which option is right for you and get you on your way to a bright beautiful smile!

6 Important Times to Call Your Denturist

Posted on December 15, 2017January 31, 2018 by Classic Denture Center

Do you have cracked, broken or stained dentures? If you do, Classic Denture Center is here to help you with all of your denture repair needs.

It is important to seek help as soon as you notice damage to your dentures to avoid further damage.

If you are wondering about what types of repairs your local Denturist in Portland OR can perform, we have listed a few below:

Cracked or broken teeth: One of the most common types of damage we see is breakage. In many instances, this happens when our patients drop their dentures into the sink or onto the floor when taking them out or putting them back in place. Breakage can also occur when biting into something hard. In most cases, if you come into our office right away, your cracked or broken false teeth can be repaired. That said, if you attempt to use a DIY repair kit, you could make the problem worse. Try to remember that non-professional denture repairs may lead to further complications in adjustment and durability at some point or another. It is also important to know that poor quality repairs are in many cases more difficult to undo than repairing it professionally the first time.
Worn teeth: Wearing your dentures day after day can lead to wear and tear. If they are exposed to strong temperature differentials or teeth grinding habits, they could wear earlier and require repair. So if you notice signs of wear pop up early on, your denturist can repair or replace individual teeth.
Lost teeth: If you have experienced tooth loss, your denturist can replace them easily without making you compromise fit, comfort, or aesthetic.
Adding teeth: In some cases, our patients may experience the loss of additional natural teeth. When this happens, your dentures can in many cases be adapted to the new space. We can add extra teeth to replace the newly extracted or broken natural teeth and you can go back to your daily life.
Adjustments: At some point or another, you will likely need an adjustment for your dentures. This can happen for a number of reasons. Maybe you are experiencing normal wear of the denture or a change in the gums underneath. If this is the case, a denture can be relined to renew the contact area with the gum. On the other hand, your denturist may suggest having your dentures rebased, which means refabricating the pink acrylic of the denture that holds the teeth in place.
Stain removal: If you are noticing a great deal of staining on your dentures, your Denturist in Portland OR is professionally equipped to remove all kinds of stains from your dentures safely and without leaving behind damage to the finish.

Have you been putting off an important denture repair? If so, it’s time to take the next step and contact us! We want to make sure that you love your smile every single day, from how it looks to how it feels!

Debunking 6 Myths About Dentures

Posted on August 10, 2017January 31, 2018 by Classic Denture Center

Even though dentures are an effective and affordable tooth replacement option that can help you achieve dental health and a return to mouth function, there are many misconceptions out there that might have you holding off on making the jump into a great new smile.

The problem is that modern dentures are very different now from their early beginnings, leaving them with a stigma that is hard to break away from. At Classic Denture Center we provide high-quality dentures in Portland OR and would really like to clear up some of the myths you have likely heard about them.

Myth #1 – Your new dentures are one-size-fits-all

We firmly believe in a customized solution to your new smile, so our dentures are not a one-size-fits-all solution. We take the time to specifically fit your new dentures to the dimensions and uniqueness of your mouth so that they will not only function and look great, but they will also be so incredibly comfortable that you may even forget you are wearing them.

Myth #2 – Your new dentures will last a lifetime

One thing we can admit to at Classic Denture Center is that even though your new dentures are capable of resisting a great deal of the wear, tear, and breakage, they will eventually need to be replaced over time. Even the most well-maintained and high-quality set of dentures will not last forever. Not only can dentures be broken when dropped, they can also lose their shape as your mouth and jaw change. Regardless of the type of dentures your buy, once they have seen too much wear and tear, you will need to be fitted with new ones.

Myth #3 – You will not need to see your denturist regularly once you get your dentures

We always recommend that you see your denturist regularly because as mentioned above, your mouth and facial structures may change with time. This can lead to dentures that may not be as comfortable and can cause issues. If you see your denturist often, these changes can be dealt with and adjusted over time, instead of the change being so severe that you need to replace your dentures early.

Myth #4 – You can fix your dentures yourself

We cannot stress this enough… You should NEVER attempt to fix your dentures at home. Whether you use household supplies or a DIY denture repair kit, you could destroy your dentures beyond repair if you attempt to fix them yourself. If your dentures break, need to be relined, or if they need to be adjusted, please bring them to our clinic for repair.

Myth #5 – Your dentures will limit what you can eat

If you are concerned that you will have to give up your favorite foods because of your new dentures, please put your mind at ease. As a matter of fact, with patience and practice, denture wearers whose dentures are properly fitted can eat just about anything.

Myth #6 – Your dentures can be all day and night

With all of the benefits our dentures provide, we just know that you are certainly going to love wearing them, but remember to take them out regularly. Regardless of how comfortable they are, your mouth needs regular breaks from them. Since you don’t need them while you are sleeping, this is a good time to give your mouth that much-needed break.

Have more questions about dentures in Portland OR?

Before you make the big decision to get new dentures, it is always a good idea to find out how you can get the most benefit out of wearing them. If you have any questions at all about dentures in Portland OR, don’t hesitate to ask denturists Tanya Poleon at Classic Denture Center. She will be happy to help you make the very best decision for you.