Will you need to get your first dentures in the near future? If so, you may be nervous about the experience. Perhaps you have even considered not wearing dentures because you may know of someone else who got their teeth extracted and did not get dentures. It is important to note that choosing not to get dentures can cause you additional health problems and affect your appearance. For example, proper chewing is an important part of digestion, and dentures and natural teeth provide support to facial structures, which is why some people without dentures have a "sunken" face appearance. The following points can help you to better understand your early denture-wearing experience.

Comfort

Initially, you may find wearing dentures uncomfortable, but this is something that should improve over time. Give yourself at least a month, and notify your dentist if the discomfort persists. Aim to wear the dentures every day for several hours. This will aid in getting your mouth acclimated to wearing the dentures.

Eating

You may want to start by only eating soft foods with your dentures. As you add more foods of different textures back into your diet, ensure that you chew slowly until you get used to your dentures. Practice using both sides of your mouth to chew food. This will keep the dentures stable in your mouth. 

Adhesives

One option for keeping dentures secure in the mouth is using an adhesive. This is something you may want to consider when your mouth gets used to the dentures. Exercise good judgment when using adhesives because they can contribute to bone loss. Dentures rely on sufficient bone tissue to stay in place. If you experience bone loss, you may have to undergo an additional oral procedure such as a bone graft to correct the issue. 

Future Oral Healthcare

You will need to get an annual dental exam if you have a full set of dentures, and if you have a partial set and natural teeth, you will likely need to see a dentist every six months. These visits are important because they will determine whether or not you are experiencing bone loss. If you have natural teeth, these exams can help to determine if there are issues such as shifting teeth, decay, or bone loss present. Early detection can aid dentists in successfully treating these oral issues. You can expect to get new dentures every 3 to 8 years unless you lose or damage them.