Re: New dentures - getting used to
Dear Jazzi
So sorry to hear of your discomfort with your new dentures. If you take the time to scroll back, I put a thread on here a couple of years ago called Teeth, and I had many responses to it, and there have been other topics about this since.
My situation was far from being the same as yours though, as I have suffered no pain whatsoever, and nor should you.
I'm no expert, but it sounds to me like those dentures are not a perfect fit and are perhaps rubbing against your gums. That is not normal and you shouldn't have to get used to that.
My dentist was absolutely brilliant and, although I still hate the fact that I've been reduced to having to wear dentures from contracting a gum infection, at least I know they're as close to my original teeth as they could be having given my dentist a photo of me with my real ones.
Greg: If you need to wear dentures now, the probability is that your gums have receded, which means that screw-in teeth would not be a possibility, because the gum reduces back to the bone due to the ageing process, so would have little left for new teeth to be screwed into, but it does depend on why you lost your teeth. If your gums are still good, then go for it, if you can afford it.
As to eating, very few people I know who have dentures can bite into an apple. I have to cut up meat very small in order to eat comfortably, but for the most time, I eat pretty softish food or I adapt to suit eating, but it's not easy some of the time.
As to speaking, yes it does take a while to formulate certain words, especially with the letter "s", but I got over that within a week or so.
I do sleep in mine and only take them out when they need cleaning and re-gluing, which can be every few days. I know it's a nuisance but hey, it has to be done.
I have to wear mine every day and can't go without because I still work, so going to work without teeth is not an option but, if you can go without for a period of time without feeling embarrassed, I'm sure that would be a good thing.
However, (sorry folks, I do bang on), having said all of this, if you are in pain, then you absolutely must go back to your dentist to get him/her to fix whatever problem there is, as you should most definitely not be in pain with dentures.
They'll never feel like your own, but they should be comfortable if they have been measured and fitted correctly. You've paid for this treatment and if it isn't right, demand that it be put right until you're happy with them.
Good luck lass.