Aftercare card
Caring for new dentures
How to get used to new dentures: sore spots, eating and speaking, cleaning, removing them at night, and when to come back for an adjustment.
First few days
Do
- Wear the denture as your dentist advised, and follow their instructions for the first night.
- Eat soft food cut into small pieces and chew slowly on both sides at once.
- Practise reading aloud to get used to speaking.
- Rinse with warm salt water after meals.
Avoid
- Hard, sticky and very hot food.
- Biting into food with the front teeth; use the side teeth.
- Trying to adjust the denture yourself or using glue.
Weeks 1–4
Do
- Come back for the adjustment visit; sore spots are common and are easily eased.
- Increase the variety of food gradually.
- Take the denture out and clean your gums, tongue and any natural teeth every day.
- Use a little denture adhesive only if advised.
Avoid
- Wearing a denture that is hurting for long periods; leave it out and call for an adjustment.
- Hard foods such as nuts and raw carrots until you are confident.
Everyday care
Do
- Clean the denture over a basin of water or a folded towel, in case it slips.
- Brush it with a soft brush and mild soap or denture cleaner, never toothpaste, which scratches it.
- Take it out at night and keep it in water or denture solution.
- Rinse it after meals.
- Visit for check-ups at least once a year.
Avoid
- Boiling water, which warps the plastic.
- Wearing it 24 hours a day long term, which irritates the gums and encourages infection.
Normal while it heals
- Extra saliva for the first few days
- A feeling of fullness or gagging, especially with upper dentures
- Sore spots in the first 1–2 weeks
- Some trouble with certain sounds until you adapt, usually 1–2 weeks
- Food tasting different at first
- A loose-feeling lower denture for the first few weeks
Call the clinic if
- A sore spot, ulcer or red patch that does not settle within a few days of leaving the denture out
- The denture cracks, a tooth comes off, or it feels loose and moves when you speak
- Pain that is severe or gets worse
- A white patch, a sore that does not heal in 2 weeks or white coating under the denture
- Fever, or swelling of the face or gums
- Swelling with difficulty swallowing or breathing: go to a hospital now
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