Living with partial dentures

elizabethsmum

I had 2 upper front teeth and a back tooth fitted as a partial denture yesterday. I had extraction and fitting done. They are fitted to a plate. It's hard to explain how anxious I am feeling. I have so many concerns.
All I can feel is the plastic plate. My tongue is drawn to this. I have loads of saliva. When I touch the plate they wobble slightly. I can't eat or speak properly. I had a bad time getting them out last night. The plate feels so thick and the edges are thick. I know they will take time to get used to but I want my confidence back . I feel if I put my teeth together they will fall out. I've used denture adhesive but still feeling quite upset about this. Sorry for the rant but I'm feeling really low.

TadleyBaggie

It will get better. I had most of my back teeth (upper and lower) plus one front tooth removed 16 months ago and partial dentures top and bottom. The top was OK from day one but it was 6 weeks or so before the bottom one was comfortable.

Fast forward and now I don't even think about them, in fact if I've forgotten to put them in, my mouth feels strange.

elizabethsmum

Thank you. I know I need to be patient. At least I can smile now and not hide away.

Janey3

Yes, it will get better for you, give it time and persevere, its very early days for you yet. I have partials top and bottom. I just ate soft food for a time and gradually added different foods. I didn't eat out for quite a while.

If you hold a mouthful of warm water and swill round for a few seconds you will be able to get them out easier. Rock the teeth gently, don't yank them out from the middle.

The 'plastic plate feel' will get better, its just that you are not used to having a mouthful of plastic.

I love my pearlies now and can smile again with confidence!

I carried fixative around in my handbag for quite a while, especially if eating out in case of a wobble! Now my teeth are part of me.

I still don't bite into an apple though!



Good luck.

suki1964

It does get easier

I have had a partial top denture since my 20s Bad habits and not attending a dentist took its toll early. Im now heading to a full top plate this summer when the last extractions have healed - mid 50s now

I felt I couldn't speak properly for weeks, now I cant speak properly without them

Eating was hell on earth for a long time. If I was at home I found it easier to remove them to eat, but obviously in work, they had to stay in and I slowly got used to eating a variety of foods, even corn on the cob and steak. In fact the only thing I actively avoid is chewing gum, that just sticks everywhere

I don't use an adhesive, for me they make the plate feel even bigger and I find it extremely easy to remove the plate by just sucking with my tongue up against it, no need for fingers

They do take a while to bed in properly, esp if fitted straight after an extraction. Me and a guy in work have both had extractions the same time, he's still walking around with a mouth full of gaps where as Im walking about with a smile. Its the price we pay for vanity. Hence Im not paying for a new plate until my mouth is fully healed, they have just added a few teeth to my existing plate in the meantime to get me through

The one thing you must take note of, is to remove them at night. Because I was so young and vain, I always kept mine in, 24/7, its the worse thing I have done to my mouth

Janey3

Just thought of something else. When you take your teeth out to clean, and if over the sink, make sure you put a cloth in the sink, as pearlies have a mind of their own and are liable to slip out of your fingers!

elizabethsmum

Thank you. I panicked last night when I couldn't get them out and had to put my finger nails behind the tooth.

Janey3

I found that too, Elizabeth, for a little while after being newly fitted with the plates and had to do the same helped along with some water. Don't worry, they will soon ease. I used to take them in and out during the day, difficult if you are still working, but I'm retired, so had all day to practice.

Also, take small bites of your food, more of a nibble to start with!

elizabethsmum

Sorry it's me again. Back to work tomorrow so getting really nervous. I'm persevering. I can't stop touching the palate with my tongue. When I have a drink I feel as though I am loosening them and they will come out. Got a bit dehydrated yesterday because I was so scared.

LuxuryWoman

Apparently sucking a boiled sweet can help a lot, and singing/reading aloud to get used to speaking with them. It will get better.

Janey3

Take your drinks in sips to start with and not too hot, it will only be for a couple of weeks until they become part of you and you get used to them and you can gauge things. Fixative in handbag for extra confidence!

I used a straw in the early days, but was lucky I was not front desk based at work and was able to do this without embarrassment. Had some funny moments - I lisped and whistled quite badly at first whilst talking but everyone knew what I was going through so that helped!

Glad you are persevering - keep thinking of the alternative!

Good luck for tomorrow, let us know how you are getting on.