The Denture Studio

The Denture Studio

No Surprises - Just Honest Results

Fast * Friendly * Reliable

Hello today is
Ronald D. Farris L.D.
21511 SE Stark
Gresham, Oregon 97030
(503) 666-1698 local
(800) 818-1698 toll free
(503) 666-7734 fax
info@denturestudio.com

Patient Education

YOUR JOB

  • You cannot learn to use artificial teeth by studying lessons or books.  All you have to do is wear them continually.  It doesn't matter how much difficulty you experience, you will gradually learn to master them.  Some people have difficulty learning to drive a car, some learn easily, and some will never learn.  The same holds true for dentures.  A few denture wearers do not assume the right mental attitude and never give the new teeth a chance.  Usually they will blame the dentures, and will never learn to wear them.  It takes about four times longer to learn to master a lower denture than an upper denture.
  • People with poor gum ridges will have more trouble than others.  They usually realize the difficulty and are ready for the worst.  When they get their dentures, they are often surprised that it isn't as bad as they thought.
  • If you have lost tissue (generally caused by ill-fitting dentures over a long period of time) your dentures will not fit correctly until the tissue is firmed.  This can be done surgically by and oral surgeon, or by wearing a well-fitted reline or replacement denture.  As your tissue firms, the denture will loosen and need to be relined after 6 months to a year.  The second reline is charged separately, but is a small investment compared to surgery.

EATING

  • Experienced denture wearers should avoid tough meat, "slippery" foods such as chicken skin and lettuce, and hard foods such as peanuts for the first week after getting replacement dentures or relines.
  • Remember to eat slowly at first.  Take your time and concentrate on discovering the chewing motions that are the most comfortable and most effective for you.
  • Take small bites of food and distribute the food evenly on both sides of your mouth at the same time as you chew.
  • Use an up-and-down chewing motion.  A lateral (side-to-side) chewing motion may dislodge the backs of your dentures and make your adjustment period longer, more difficult, create unnecessary sore spots, and slow the settling process.
  • To bite off a morsel of food such as an apple or carrot, press between the front teeth and break the food off with a twisting motion of the hand.  Dentures greatly diminish your biting force.  People with natural teeth may exert 100 to 200 pounds of force per square inch of bite.  Denture wearers may exert only about 25 pounds per square inch.

CLEANING

  • Clean your dentures after each meal with a denture brush.  Avoid gritty paste and powders as they will scratch the denture base and give food particles a place to cling.  Remove stains from conventional dentures by soaking in a solution of 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 warm water for 10-15 minutes.
  • You should make the dentures become as much as part of you as possible.  Wear them at night if you can.  You may find them on the pillow at first, but eventually you will not be able to sleep without them.  If it bothers you too much, take them out at night.
  • No two people encounter the same problems or experience the same success or satisfaction with dentures.  Your case is individual.  What has worked for you in the past, or what has worked for a friend or relative, may not apply to you and your new, replacement, or reline denture.  Remember, as with learning any new skill, practice does make perfect.