Post Operative Instructions after Complete or Partial Denture Delivery

You may have discomfort for a few days after receiving your final dentures or partials. Dentures and partials will often need several adjustments in order to fit comfortably.

Dentures should be removed overnight or for at least 6 hours a day to give your mouth and gums time to rest.

At night you should remove your dentures and clean them. They should be stored in a clean container filled with denture cleaning solution.

If you had your teeth removed immediately before insertion of your new denture, wear your denture day and night for the first 48 hours, removing only to clean them.  Your denture will act as a bandage and promote healing.

Food particles can become entrapped under the dentures causing inflammation or sore spots. Lightly brush the roof of your mouth, your tongue and your gums after removing your dentures.

Brush your teeth and the surrounding tissues after every meal and snack and flossing at least once a day before bedtime. If you have full dentures, brushing the dentures daily is very important. Avoid using abrasive cleaners like toothpaste or bleach.

Rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash will help to remove any additional particles that may have been missed during brushing and flossing.

At least once a week, place them in an enzymatic or special denture cleaning solution to remove those otherwise insoluble stains and proteins. Because foods will stick to the soft tissues of the mouth, it is also beneficial to brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue daily. Massaging and stimulating these tissues will reduce the incidence of inflammation and sore spots.

To help yourself adjust to your dentures, you can practice reading aloud for a little while each day.

Start with soft foods. Take small bites, chew slowly and try to overcome the difficulties as they arise. Keep the food distributed evenly on both sides and chew on the back teeth. To bite foods that normally require the front teeth, such as apples or corn on the cob, apply presssure backwards against the front when closing. If the denture begins to dislodge, biting with the side teeth may be an easier alternative. More difficult foods such as steak and carrots will require gradual learning curve. Initially, it is recommended to avoid eating sticky, hard or chewy foods.

Soreness from uneven pressure on the gums may develop at any time. This is not unusual and should be expected, especially if you have not worn a denture before. Sore spots are best corrected if the dentures are worn for at least 3-6 hours before returning to the office for an adjustment appointment. This will allow a more precise detection of the offending areas inside the denture, which are corrected by trimming.

Make sure to visit our office at least once a year to have your dentures or partials adjusted and checked by the doctor. Wearing ill- fitting dentures or partials without proper care and adjustment can cause bone loss in the jaw area and oral disease.

Please call our office if you are experiencing ongoing pain or discomfort or if you have any concerns regarding your denture or partial.