Some things are life-changing. At Borbely Swiss, we truly believe that dentures are one of those things. We’ve seen how our dentures dramatically improve the lives of our patients. From increasing their self-confidence to improving their health, we’re constantly moved by how our patients are positively affected by their dentures.
Of course, we see the other side of the equation, too – patients who, at first, struggle to adjust to their new dentures. That’s why we’ve created this resource. It’s a guide to remind you that you’re not alone. Though the journey to adjust to your dentures may be difficult at first, it can truly change your life for the better.
Talk to your denturist
There are a lot of qualities one needs to have to be a good denturist – and one is that you absolutely must be a people person. We see clients from all walks of life, and all of them are getting dentures so they can improve their lives.
If you’re looking for a denturist in Winnipeg, come to Borbely Swiss. We offer free consultations, so we can address any concerns you might have about getting dentures before you put any money down. And we’ll be there to support you through the whole process. Whether you’re looking for tips on wearing or caring for your dentures, advice on improving comfort, or even someone to talk to about the social struggles of adjusting to dentures, we’ll be here for you.
Visit with friends and family
Don’t feel like going out in public with your new dentures right away? Don’t worry about it – invite close friends or family over to start. Your loved ones can support you through the process of adjusting to dentures just by being around you while you’re wearing them – it should help you feel more comfortable wearing dentures around other people and reduce anxiety.
Your loved ones can help with more than just anxiety, too – they can help you practise speaking while wearing dentures. Have conversations with them, and let them know in advance that you might speak slowly and sound differently. If you ask them, they can point out any changes to your speech that you can work on with them or alone.
Stay in touch with your community groups
Do you love curling with your friends? Spending time with people who share your faith? Going walking, running, hiking, or playing hockey? Whatever your favourite activities are, you’ll find people there who want to spend time doing that activity with you – whether or not you have dentures.
If you feel uncomfortable, practise with friends and family before going out for your favourite community activities. Once you get out to enjoy activities you love, you’ll find that most people are just as accepting as they ever were.
Go online
Sometimes, it can be hard seeing people in the flesh when you’re first adjusting to new dentures. Fortunately, there are several resources online. From the Denture Living forum to the dentures subreddit, there’s no end of places to find community support. And when it comes to wearing and caring for your dentures, there are amazing blogs like ours to help you answer any questions that you may have.
Tips for finding support
The most important tip for finding support that we can give you is this: The first step to getting support is asking for it. Some people are ashamed of having dentures – we’re here to tell you that there’s nothing to be ashamed of. People of all ages and all walks of life have dentures. You probably know people who have dentures without even realizing it.
If you feel embarrassed or uncertain about your dentures, let people who you trust and love know. They’ll help you adjust to your dentures and be there for you when you feel down.
Tips for new denture wearers
Dentures often take about a month to adjust to. On day one, just eat soft foods – think yogurt, mashed potatoes, and ice cream. For the first two weeks, you may experience excess salivation and difficulty speaking. Sucking on hard candies can help with the salivation – practise will help with the speaking.
During the first two weeks, you might find your gums are sore – and you might even develop sores and inflammation. This isn’t unusual – over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol can help, as can rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater. Not sure which painkillers to use? Talk to your denturist.
By the last two weeks of the month, you should notice that discomfort has diminished, there’s less excess salivation, and speaking is becoming more normal. If you’re noticing that these things aren’t improving or that they’ve become worse, talk to your denturist.
If you need support, you’ve got it
We’re here for you. Give us a call if you need help adjusting to your dentures or if you’re looking for resources. Dentures can change your life in an incredibly positive way – we’re here to help you make sure that happens.
