What to Expect With Dentures the First Time: A Reno Dentist’s Guide

Getting dentures for the first time? Expect some challenges, but also life-changing improvements. As a dentist in Reno with over 10 years of experience, I’ve helped hundreds of patients navigate the early days of life with dentures. While the first few weeks may bring discomfort or frustration, most patients adjust beautifully with a little time and support.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to expect with dentures the first time, from physical sensations and speaking tips to eating, socializing, and long-term care.

The First Few Weeks: Physical Adjustment

Yes, it’s normal for dentures to feel awkward at first.
Most patients experience mild soreness, extra saliva, and a sense of bulkiness during the first 2–3 weeks.

Common early experiences:

  • Sore or tender gums
  • Slight looseness or movement
  • Increased saliva production
  • Feeling like your dentures are “too big”

What helps:

  • Use denture adhesive for extra stability (ask your dentist for recommendations)
  • Rinse with warm salt water to soothe sore spots
  • Remove dentures at night to let your gums rest
  • Follow up with your dentist for minor adjustments

Tip: Your facial muscles will adapt with time. Be patient, and don’t hesitate to reach out if something feels off.

Speaking With Dentures: Regain Clarity and Confidence

Yes, speaking with new dentures takes practice, but it gets better fast. Many first-time wearers notice a slight lisp or trouble with certain sounds. This happens because your tongue and lips are adapting to a new shape in your mouth.

How to improve speech:

  • Read aloud daily in front of a mirror
  • Practice difficult words repeatedly
  • Speak slowly and clearly at first
  • Bite down and swallow before speaking to set your dentures

Most patients regain clear speech within 2–4 weeks. If issues continue, ask your dentist about possible adjustments.

Eating With Dentures: Building New Habits

Eating with dentures is one of the biggest adjustments, but also the most rewarding.
In the beginning, even soft foods might feel strange. But with practice, you’ll rebuild confidence and muscle memory.

Tips for eating with dentures:

  • Start with soft foods (mashed potatoes, yogurt, eggs)
  • Cut food into small, manageable pieces
  • Chew slowly and evenly on both sides
  • Avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods at first
  • Be cautious with hot foods, your temperature sensitivity may be reduced

By 4–6 weeks, most patients are eating confidently again. Take your time, and celebrate small victories with each meal.

Socializing With Dentures: Boosting Your Confidence

Yes, wearing dentures in public can feel intimidating at first, but confidence builds quickly. It’s common to feel self-conscious in social settings during your adjustment period, but the truth is: most people won’t notice you’re wearing dentures.

Tips for social situations:

  • Use a quality adhesive to prevent slipping
  • Practice eating at home before dining out
  • Start with small, familiar gatherings
  • Remind yourself: your smile looks great!
  • Keep your sense of humor, everyone has an adjustment period

Bonus mindset tip: Focus on connection, not perfection. People notice your warmth and confidence far more than your dentures.

Long-Term Success With Dentures: Maintenance Is Key

Long-lasting dentures depend on good habits and regular dental care. Even if you no longer have natural teeth, your gums and oral tissues still need attention.

Daily denture care checklist:

  • Remove and rinse dentures after every meal
  • Clean with a soft brush and denture cleanser (not regular toothpaste)
  • Soak overnight in a denture solution or plain water
  • Avoid hot water or bleach, which can warp or damage dentures

Professional care:
At Wager Evans Dental, we recommend check-ups at least twice a year for denture wearers. We’ll ensure your dentures fit properly, check for irritation or infection, and reline them as needed over time.

Mental Adjustment: What No One Tells You

Yes, there’s an emotional side to getting dentures. For many patients, adjusting to dentures brings up unexpected emotions, from anxiety to frustration to self-consciousness. That’s completely normal.

You are not alone.

  • Talk to your dentist about your concerns
  • Set realistic expectations (adjustment takes weeks, not days)
  • Surround yourself with supportive people
  • Celebrate your progress, every small win counts

Most patients report feeling comfortable and confident within 6–12 weeks.

Recap: What to Expect With Dentures the First Time

  • Mild soreness, extra saliva, and speaking challenges are normal
  • Eating gets easier with practice, start soft and slow
  • Social confidence takes time but builds quickly
  • Proper cleaning and regular check-ups ensure long-term success
  • You’re not alone, thousands adjust to dentures every day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to adjust to new dentures?
Most people adjust within 3 to 6 weeks, though full comfort can take up to 3 months.

Do dentures always feel loose at first?
Yes, they can feel slightly loose until your muscles learn to hold them in place. Adhesives and adjustments help.

Do dentures affect your sense of taste?

Yes, dentures can slightly affect your sense of taste, especially in the beginning. This is often due to the upper denture covering the palate, which can dull taste perception. 

Ready to Feel Confident With Your Dentures?

The first-time denture experience is a journey, but you’re not alone. At Wager Evans Dental, we support patients in Reno through every step, from the initial fitting to long-term adjustments.

Call today to schedule your denture check-up or fitting. Let’s make sure your new smile feels just as good as it looks.

How to Care for New Dentures: First-Time Guide from Reno Dentists

Learning how to care for new dentures can feel overwhelming, but with the right habits, your dentures can feel comfortable, last for years, and help you smile confidently. As a dentist serving Reno for over 15 years, I’ve coached hundreds of first-time denture wearers through the adjustment process.

This guide walks you through daily denture care routines, how to adjust during the early weeks, and what to expect from professional maintenance.

Daily Cleaning: The #1 Key to Denture Health

Yes, new dentures must be cleaned daily, just like natural teeth.
Even though dentures aren’t real teeth, they still accumulate food, bacteria, and plaque, which can lead to bad breath or sore gums if not removed.

Here’s how to clean new dentures correctly:

  • Rinse after every meal to remove debris
  • Fill your sink with water or lay down a towel to prevent damage if dropped
  • Use lukewarm water only, never hot
  • Brush gently with a soft-bristle denture brush
  • Use a non-abrasive denture cleanser (not toothpaste)
  • Clean all surfaces, including grooves and edges
  • Rinse thoroughly before reinserting 

Don’t forget your mouth! Use a soft toothbrush or washcloth to gently clean your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth every morning.

Storage Tips: Keep Your Dentures Moist and Safe

Never let dentures dry out. Dry dentures can warp and lose their shape, affecting fit and comfort.

Best practices for storing dentures:

  • Always soak them overnight in plain water or a denture-soaking solution
  • Rinse thoroughly before reinserting, especially if using a chemical solution
  • Never place dentures in hot water (causes warping) 
  • Store safely out of reach of pets and children 

Adjusting to Dentures: What to Expect

It’s normal for dentures to feel strange at first. Most first-time wearers need 2–4 weeks to fully adjust. Here’s what to expect, and what helps:

Common sensations and tips:

  • Increased saliva: Sipping water or swallowing more often helps
  • Soreness or pressure: Saltwater rinses soothe irritation; see your dentist if it persists
  • Difficulty eating: Start with soft foods cut into small bites
  • Trouble speaking: Practice reading aloud; bite and swallow before talking 

Tip: Be patient. With consistency, most new wearers feel confident in 3–4 weeks.

Common Denture Issues and How to Solve Them

Even with perfect care, occasional problems happen. Here’s how to manage the most common new-denture challenges:

Issue Solution
Soreness or irritation Rinse with warm salt water; contact us if pain persists
Slipping dentures Use a small amount of denture adhesive; visit us if it worsens
Clicking or speech issues Minor adjustments at the office often resolve these problems
Trouble chewing Stick with soft foods; avoid sticky or hard foods during the first weeks

 

How Long Do Dentures Last?

Most dentures last 5 to 10 years. That said, your mouth changes over time, and routine relines or adjustments may be needed to maintain comfort and function.

To extend denture lifespan:

  • Avoid dropping or bending them
  • Don’t use abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals
  • Keep up with regular dental visits

Denture Do’s and Don’ts Recap

Do:

  • Clean your dentures daily
  • Store them in water overnight
  • Brush your gums and tongue every day
  • Call your dentist for sore spots or poor fit 

Don’t:

  • Sleep in dentures without cleaning
  • Use toothpaste (too abrasive)
  • Use boiling water or bleach
  • Ignore changes in fit or comfort 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do new dentures feel uncomfortable at first?
Yes, mild discomfort is normal at first, but it should improve within a few weeks. Persistent pain should be evaluated.

How often should I see my dentist with dentures?
Once a year is standard for healthy wearers, but schedule sooner if you notice discomfort, sore spots, or loose fit.

Can I use regular toothpaste on my dentures?
No, regular toothpaste is too abrasive. Use a non-abrasive denture cleanser instead.

Confidence Starts with Consistent Care

Getting used to dentures takes time, but it’s worth it. With proper care, your new smile can last for years, and feel just as comfortable as natural teeth.

At Wager Evans Dental in Reno, we’re here to guide you through every step. From your first fitting to long-term maintenance, our goal is to help you smile, eat, and live confidently.

Ready for a denture checkup or have questions about care? Contact us today and let’s keep your smile strong and secure.

 

How Do You Fix Dentures That Don’t Fit?

Dentures are an excellent choice to replace missing teeth. They can not only help restore a smile and allow people to eat more foods, but they can also provide an often needed boost in self-confidence. These transformative dental devices are often the chosen solution as they’re comfortable and affordable. However, over time, changes in the mouth can affect the way dentures fit, and they can start to slip or cause discomfort. If this happens, your dentist in Reno can help. 

How Are Dentures Made?

First, let’s take a look at how dentures are initially made. Your dentist will take impressions and send them off to a lab to create a custom denture based on the specific size and shape of your mouth. Usually, the end result will be a comfortable, secure-fitting denture. Of course, there may be an adjustment period while you’re getting used to your denture, but it shouldn’t slip or cause sores in your mouth. However, over time, changes to the jaw bone and other changes in the mouth can make a denture no longer fit properly. 

Denture Relines

If your denture no longer fits the way it once did, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist in Reno. Make sure to bring your denture to this appointment so your dentist can take a close look at the device itself as well as check out the fit of it in your mouth. If it no longer fits correctly, they may recommend a reline. 

Denture relines can take the fit of your existing denture and use it to make adjustments. There are two types of denture relines – soft relines and hard relines. Soft relines can be done quickly and easily while you’re sitting with your dentist while hard relines will be sent to a lab to be recreated. Dentures with hard relines tend to last longer than those with soft relines. 

What Causes Dentures to No Longer Fit? 

As with many things, our mouths change over time. These changes can make a once-comfortable denture no longer fit correctly. For example, changes in the jaw bone can change the shape and size of your mouth and could require a new denture or reline. Additionally, damage to dentures can happen, and if there’s a crack or other damage, it can make a denture fit uncomfortably.  It’s important to know that dentures do have a lifespan and properly won’t last forever without at least a reline. 

Denture Alternatives

If your denture is no longer the right choice for you, talk with your dentist in Reno about dental implants. Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option that replaces the tooth root as well as the crown. No soaking is required and since implants are anchored into the jaw bone, there’s also no shifting. Dental implants can replace one or many teeth, and there are even options where a custom denture can be permanently affixed on top of a few implant posts for a brand new permanent smile. 

Your denture shouldn’t be uncomfortable, it should be secure and allow you to smile and eat with confidence. If your denture is starting to slip or cause sores, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Reno as soon as possible. 

Dentures Can Give You Back Your Smile

Losing your teeth can create problems for your oral health, severely restrict your diet options, and deliver a big blow to your self-confidence. You may appear older and less healthy because of tooth loss, and you may suspect that people treat you differently as a result. What you should know is that modern prosthetic care can provide you with dentures that look and feel great, meaning you can effectively have your full smile restored! Your dentist will work with you to make sure that your prosthetic is comfortable, and that it looks natural when in position. Many patients who seek prosthetic support will be excited to learn how dental implants can make restorations more stable, and improve their overall function while offering additional oral health advantages.  Continue reading “Dentures Can Give You Back Your Smile”

Implant-Held Dentures Offer Major Benefits

Implant-held dentures offer people struggling with major tooth loss a means of remarkably improving their experience with dental prosthetic support. Rather than leaving your dentures in place with suction, or with epoxies, you can have them supported permanently with strategically-placed mini dental implants. This arrangement can make you feel more comfortable with your dentures, and make it easier to bite and chew with them. If you have questions, or if you want to see if you can be approved for implant placement, let your dentist know. Because implant-held dentures use mini implants, they can be easier to safely secure than full implants.  Continue reading “Implant-Held Dentures Offer Major Benefits”

Answering Questions About Implant Dentures

People who are searching for a solution to their tooth loss issues may be familiar with what dental implants can do for them. Simply put, implants act like your own tooth roots would, anchoring your prosthetic to your jawbone and providing stability and enduring support. However, you may be unsure about having implants to support your restoration, particularly if you are looking for help supporting a set of dentures. After all, if implants act like an artificial tooth root, how can a sequence of them hold a prosthetic that spans your upper or lower arch? What you should know is that with a sequence of mini-implants, you can enjoy securely placed dentures that do not require suction or epoxies. Continue reading “Answering Questions About Implant Dentures”

Dental Implants Can Support Dentures

If you need dentures, or if you already have them, you may believe you are resigned to a prosthetic that offers fewer functional advantages than you would like. It may be difficult to eat certain foods, and you could have a hard time with your dentures slipping out of place when you speak. What you should know is that there is a way to keep your dentures permanently locked in position. Dental implants can be used to keep your restoration secure. This can make biting and chewing easier, and avoid comfort issues caused by a loose prosthetic. It can also protect you from jawbone resorption, a deterioration of your jaw that can occur after losing teeth. Continue reading “Dental Implants Can Support Dentures”

Bringing Back Your Full Smile With Implant Dentures

bringing-back-your-full-smile-with-implant-dentures It is hard to identify a more serious change to your oral health than the loss of many teeth, or the total loss of your upper or lower teeth. To offset the significant impact this can have on your daily life, you can seek dentures to serve as a replacement. You might not realize it, but there is a way for your dentist to offer denture support that does not depend on adhesives, or on suction. You can enjoy better support by having implant dentures, which will attach to mini dental implants. This makes it easier to enjoy your dentures without worrying about the quality of their hold. Continue reading “Bringing Back Your Full Smile With Implant Dentures”

Receiving Hybrid Dentures

receiving hybrid dentures Dentures can help you regain your smile after serious tooth loss. Partial dentures work around your remaining teeth, with hidden clasps keeping the set in place. Many people assume full dentures must be supported by adhesive, or with natural suction. However, these are not your only options. Hybrid dentures use the support of dental implants to stay in place. This form of support can limit problems related to keeping your dentures from moving in your mouth. The implants can also avoid friction affecting your jaw ridge, and reduce your risk of losing material in your jawbone. Continue reading “Receiving Hybrid Dentures”

Dental Bridge Your Way to a Better Smile

Dental Bridge Illustration Have you been unhappy with your smile since you lost a tooth or had one extracted? Many people try to postpone restorative treatment, especially if their missing tooth was at the back of the mouth. Unfortunately, failing to complete a smile after tooth loss can have several repercussions beyond the cosmetic. Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew as well as you would with a complete smile, but they can also cause your remaining teeth to shift out of alignment. This can, in turn, make it even more difficult to bite and could cause you to lose more teeth. Dental bridges are one popular way of addressing tooth loss, because they offer stability and beauty.

Continue reading “Dental Bridge Your Way to a Better Smile”