Getting a partial denture when you have been without one or a few teeth for a while can be an exciting time, although it typically comes with some uncertainties such as whether you’ll be able to eat properly with it and if you’ll be able to eat all the foods you enjoy when it’s in your mouth. Here is what you need to know about partial dentures.
Will I be able to eat properly with a partial denture?
This is a common concern for those considering a partial denture, many can manage to eat the foods they love with their remaining teeth, and they wonder if having a partial denture will prevent them from doing this.
While partial dentures will feel odd at first, once you are used to them, they will make eating your favourite foods easier. We recommend starting with a softer diet until your mouth has adjusted, and from here, you can work your way up to harder foods until you feel comfortable eating all the regular foods you know and love. So yes, you can eat properly with a partial denture.
Tips for eating with your new partial dentures
Having anything foreign in your mouth that you are not used to will feel strange to begin with. Talking with them in, eating and even smiling, will feel different at first, but after a while, they will feel normal and not having it in will feel strange. Here are our tips for adjusting to eating with new dentures:
- Chew slowly and don’t take huge bites of food. Doing this can make eating less uncomfortable when you start wearing them, and it will prevent them from slipping. After a while, you may find you can chew a bit faster and take larger bites.
- Avoid hard and sticky foods, to start with. Eating stuff like chewy lollies or steak with a newly fitted partial denture may be challenging to say the least. After your mouth and muscles have had time to adjust, you may find consuming these types of foods easier.
- Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day, and to be patient. Your dentures will naturally feel strange when you first wear them, but they will get more comfortable as time goes on. It’ll be well worth it when you can smile with confidence and eat all your normal foods again.
If it has been some time since you had your partial denture fitted as you are still struggling to adjust, don’t suffer in silence, that is what your prosthetist is here for. Let them know, you may need to have an adjustment made.
How long does it take to adjust to partial dentures?
The adjustment period is different for everyone however, it takes a few weeks for your mouth to adjust to partial dentures. The first few days are typically the most challenging, and you may find them uncomfortable. They may feel as though they are slipping, and food might get stuck underneath them. It’s important to know that all of these things are normal, and they’ll likely lessen the longer that you have worn them. A denture adhesive can help to keep new dentures in place while you are getting used to them.Having a partial denture fitted is meant to make your life easier, not harder. It can restore your former smile and help you eat a wide variety of foods. If you are considering a partial denture, speak to your local Denture Clinic. We specialise in dentures and can answer any questions you may have. Contact us today!