Do not forget that the complete denture is a very complex rehabilitation (one of the most difficult). That is why your collaboration is very important, until the complete adaptation, which will require some time.

At first:

• You will notice a sensation of occupation or a foreign body, which usually disappears in a few weeks.
• Saliva production will increase, although it will gradually normalize.
• Initially you will experience a decreased sense of taste, which will recover after a few weeks.
• Your speech will change a bit, and there may be phonetic problems to pronounce some sounds. For this reason, you will probably need training to learn how to vocalize certain words; Usually this learning is achieved in a few weeks.
• It is likely to bite easily on the cheeks and tongue, due to its tendency to get into spaces where teeth are missing, but in a short time it will learn to avoid it.
• You may notice some discomfort in the areas where the prostheses rest, especially at the height of the edges: If they increase or do not subside after four or five days, and if wounds form, you should go to the consultation.
• Your dentures will probably move around a lot at first, especially when you eat. You must learn to chew simultaneously on both sides, and not on just one, as you would with natural teeth. With this, and with the successive adjustments of the tooth engagement that may be necessary, you will experience improvement, but the lower denture, with rare exceptions, will never hold satisfactorily.

The first few days, try to close your mouth and chew carefully, so as not to bite yourself and not overload your gums.

For the same reason, you should initially chew soft, non-sticky foods gently, gradually moving on to eating more consistent products.

Strive to remember that chewing must be done on both sides at the same time.

To treat the wounds caused by bites (generally very painful), you can use soothing and healing mouthwashes, ointments or gels, on which your dentist will advise you.

If you have intense pain when biting, or injuries appear, go immediately to the dentist’s office, so that he can make the appropriate relief in your prostheses and prescribe, where appropriate, soothing and healing mouthwashes, ointments or gels.

You should also go to the dentist if you have tolerable discomfort that does not improve or subside in four or five days.

There are some products (mouthwashes, ointments and powders) that favor the retention and adaptation of the prosthesis in your mouth. Before using them, you should consult your dentist, but you should know that they are not “miraculous”.

Avoid, when handling them, that your prostheses fall to the ground, as they can fracture, especially the lower one.

Full denture appliances must be placed in place and always wet, inside the mouth, with the fingers. Never insert and bite on them without being properly seated, because you can fracture them or injure your gums. After removing them, also with your fingers, wash them and place them in a glass of water.

After each meal you should rinse the dentures and the mouth.

Dentures should be cleaned, at least once a day, with a special brush for dentures (sold in pharmacies) or a nail brush with nylon bristles, and a little toothpaste or, better, soap, to avoid tartar formation and deposit of stains. Then rinse them very well with water.

It is convenient to remove the prostheses to sleep, so that the mucous membranes rest daily for a few hours. In the case of the lower prosthesis, it is essential to avoid choking during sleep. While you sleep, the prostheses should be kept in a humid environment, preferably in a glass of water, to which you can add disinfectant tablets marketed for this purpose.