Congratulations on your new dentures! These durable, realistic looking prosthetics can improve your quality of life in many ways. But during the first few weeks, you may have a small adjustment period while you get used to smiling, eating, and speaking with them. Here’s how to make the transition easier so you won’t need to wait long to enjoy the full benefits of your new smile!
Speaking with Dentures
While it’s not difficult to speak with dentures in, it may be a bit challenging to enunciate when you first get them. Often, patients will have a slight lisp for the first few weeks with their false teeth, but the good news is that this should go away after a few weeks with regular speech practice. To speed the process along, try these tips:
- Bite, chew, and completely swallow your food before speaking. This will help reposition your dentures and prevent them from slipping.
- Practice reading out loud while wearing your dentures so you can get used to saying common words and help determine how fast to speak when conversing.
- Try talking at a normal volume, narrate your day out loud if you’re alone, or have conversations with friends and family to help get adjusted.
- Count out loud from 60 to 90, which will help you get used to pronouncing more complex sounds.
If you notice your dentures sound like they’re clicking when you speak, this is typically due to the muscles in your lips, cheek, and tongue trying to force them out of your mouth. If it occurs, slow your speech down until your mouth gets used to your prosthetics and gradually increase it once your mouth is more comfortable.
Dining With Dentures
Some people find it difficult to eat with dentures during the first month, but you can ease this transition by sticking to a soft diet or pureed foods to begin with. Try options like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and applesauce, and increase the density of your food as you master each soft item.
Remember, it’s normal to take a little time to get used to your new dentures. After all, it can be a big change. The great news is that with a little time and practice, you should be able to eat, speak, and smile with confidence soon!
About Our Practice
At Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, our caring and talented dentists, Dr. DeNicola and Dr. Khanna are proud to offer life-changing treatments like dentures right here in Harrisonburg. To learn more about this treatment and the many ways it can benefit you and your smile, schedule a consultation for dentures by visiting our website or calling us at 540-432-6616.