PA Department of Health Ruling Regarding Dental Appointments

Enjoying Holiday Meals with New Dentures or Partials

Enjoying holiday meals can come with challenges for new denture or partial wearers and those with biting sensitivities. Our dentures and partials provide custom-designed confident smiles and improve chewing abilities. Learn more about oral care, cleaning, and comfort for new dental appliances, and get back to enjoying festive favorites comfortably.

Wearing New Dentures or Partials

Dentures and partials improve chewing abilities and help create confident smiles. Gum sensitivity may be experienced within the first few weeks of transitioning from natural teeth to new dentures or partials. Wearing dentures or partials every day, and removing them at night, will help jaw muscles and gum tissue relax, and help dental patients get used to the feel of dental appliances in the mouth. Within a few days of using a new dental appliance, a person can feel confident chewing soft food. After a few weeks, biting sensitivities with dentures or partials reduce and food can be enjoyed just as it was with natural teeth.

Comfort Tips for Chewing

Colgate calls out comfort tips for new denture and partial wearers experiencing initial biting sensitivities when chewing food. Steer clear of tough, sticky or hard food or candies. Cutting soft foods into small pieces and chewing on both sides of the mouth at the same time can make eating easier, minimize gum irritation, and prevent dental damage. Several easy-to-eat menu options that are soft textured, tender, and break down easier include:

  • Slow-cooked meats and soups.
  • Boiled or baked pasta.
  • Vegetables and beans prepared steamed, boiled, mashed, or served in a casserole.
  • Puddings, jellied cranberries or baked fruit, sweet potato, or pumpkin pie desserts.

Biting Sensitivities and Chewing Force

Dentures and partials are excellent solutions to replace missing teeth. New denture or partial wearers should avoid foods that may make chewing difficult or dislodge the appliance. For instance, the crunchy, sugary stickiness of pecan pie can cause new denture wearers to have dental sensitivities, or it can damage partials and natural teeth affected by cavities or tooth decay.

Some biting and chewing sensitivities may be experienced during the initial period of wear. These include facial soreness, gum sensitivity, increased salivation, and a sensation of the dental appliance moving in the mouth. If persistent gum sores, severe gum discomfort, or mouth pain is experienced, contact a dental specialist right away to schedule an oral health exam and a dental appliance adjustment.

Daily Care and Cleaning

Proper care can ensure full or partial denture sets last their entire lifespan. Dentures and partials must be removed and cleaned daily to give the gums time to rest and prevent bacterial growth. The Oral Health Foundation recommends removing dental appliances and gently flossing between and brushing natural teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, and roof of the mouth with a denture toothbrush. This helps to remove plaque and stimulate blood circulation in mouth tissue to prevent gum disease.

A washcloth can also be used to gently remove plaque from sensitive gum areas. Proper care paired with a daily oral hygiene routine can prevent plaque build-up and tartar from forming on dentures and protects gum tissue from being irritated, inflamed, or infected. People who wear partial dentures need to take special care of their existing teeth. Teeth should be cleaned thoroughly every day and cleaning products specifically designed for dentures and partials are recommended.

Well-fitting dental appliances can restore smiles, confidence, and self-esteem. Three Rivers Dental is the proud provider of Comfy Fit Premium, Flexi Fit Partial Dentures, and Snap Fit Dentures available in 8 comfortable and affordable denture and partial styles. Custom-designed for each individual, taking into account the size and shape of teeth, face contours, and natural gum tissue, we design beautiful smiles using high-quality materials for a natural look and comfortable fit.

Address oral health issues and get smiling again with confidence. Contact us today by calling (1) 855-4-NO-FEARS or schedule an appointment online for a dental evaluation for new dentures or partials. We are conveniently located throughout the Pittsburgh area in Cranberry, Greentree, Greensburg, and Jennerstown.