It’s completely normal for new dentures to feel unusual or bulky when you first start wearing them, and you might experience issues like excess saliva or tenderness. Fortunately, it won’t take long for your mouth to adapt, and with the right care and adjustments, you’ll be enjoying a comfortable, functional smile in just a few weeks. As you’re getting used to your dentures, we recommend practising inserting and removing them, starting with softer foods and gradually progressing to a normal diet to help with the transition.

With the right care, dentures can last between 5 and 10 years before they need replacing. Changes in your gums or jawbone can affect the fit over time, so it’s important to attend regular check-ups – this lets us see how your dentures are performing, and helps to keep them strong and comfortable in your mouth.

Many patients we see believe that dental care ends with dentures, but that isn’t true! In fact, establishing good habits early on makes all the difference to your overall oral health and the lifespan of your new teeth. We recommend cleaning your dentures daily with a soft brush and denture cleanser, rinsing them after meals and soaking them overnight in water or a denture solution. Remember to avoid hot water and toothpaste, both of which can damage the denture material. You should also continue to clean your mouth twice a day, using a soft toothbrush and focusing on your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth, as well as any remaining teeth. This is essential for preventing problems like bacteria, infections and bad breath. When you’re having your dentures fitted, your Blackburn dentist will provide you with guidance on daily care, as well as tips on adapting to eating and speaking with your new smile.

Absolutely! In fact, if you’re going from missing or damaged teeth to a complete new set, it can actually make eating easier. It’s best to start with softer foods and chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. Hard, crunchy or sticky foods can be challenging at first, so building confidence gradually helps.

Unless your Blackburn dentist advises otherwise, you should always remove your dentures at night. This gives your gums a rest and helps to reduce the risk of irritation or infections. Keep them stored in water or a denture cleansing solution to maintain their shape and stop the denture material from drying out.

Over time, changes in your jawbone and gums can make dentures feel less secure. If this happens, your dentist can adjust or reline them to improve their fit. While adhesives can help temporarily, professional adjustment is always recommended.

The overall denture process can take a little time, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all timeline. It often takes a few weeks from your first appointment to having well-fitting dentures ready to use, but this can vary depending on your individual needs and how your mouth responds to treatment. If you’ve had teeth removed, it’s normal for your gums to need extra time to heal before your final dentures can be fitted – this can take up to a few months. This might feel like a long time to wait, but it’s an important step to ensure your dentures fit comfortably and work effectively. Throughout the process, our team will keep you fully informed about what to expect and the likely timeline. In the meantime, we can provide temporary dentures so you don’t have to go without teeth while your mouth recovers.