If you've suffered extensive tooth loss, dentures are a great alternative to help normalize your daily life. While these solutions are incredibly helpful, they can sometimes cause initial pain or discomfort for wearers. Fortunately, there are a few ways to make the transition easier and adapt to the new additions. Here's what you should do.

3 Ways To Ease Denture Discomfort

1. Maintain Oral Hygiene

One of the main causes of denture discomfort is poor oral hygiene. Without daily cleaning, bacteria begin to collect on the surfaces of these artificial teeth, eventually affecting the gums underneath. 

Sores can form from lack of care, and just because the prosthesis can't develop cavities doesn't mean your mouth can't suffer from lack of brushing and care. To keep sores, bad breath, and even yeast growth at bay, brush artificial teeth with a soft toothbrush twice a day and purchase a tongue scraper to help prevent bacteria buildup.

2. Adjust Your Diet

Settling into new dentures can take time, and if you're putting stress on them, your gums may struggle to adjust. Stick to a diet of softer foods for the first few weeks, choosing items like soup, eggs, yogurt, or pasta as meals instead of crunchy or hard selections. 

Make sure to use both sides of the mouth to chew and eat, so the task is evenly distributed. This will help each section get acclimated. Stay away from acidic foods and beverages, too, as they can irritate the gums.

3. Massage the Gums

Your gums are likely to experience a lot of new sensations and discomfort with the dentures, so massaging them to ease the pain can help. Gently rub a fingertip coated in coconut oil over the inflamed gums, making sure to focus on particularly uncomfortable spots. 

This can help any swelling go down and increase blood flow to the area. Try this twice a day, rinsing out your mouth when finished to remove excess oil as well as bacteria that may have accumulated.

If your dentures are causing you discomfort or pain, reach out to your dentist for advice. The friendly staff at Flathead Denture will help answer questions or address concerns to make sure you're getting the most out of your new dental solution. Since 2012, they have provided clients in the Columbia Falls, MT, area with expert service and knowledgeable care, helping them adjust to artificial teeth and getting the right options fitted for them. They also offer cosmetic dentistry and adjustments, so you can rest assured you'll leave with the best treatment options. For more information about the practice, visit their website or call (406) 892-0700.