Some patients may need to have one or more teeth extracted before they can be a good candidate for dentures. If this is the case for you, you’ll need to wait between six and eight weeks to allow your gums to heal before you can get dentures. If you don’t wait long, you could end up with improperly fitted restorations.

Most dental insurance plans cover at least a portion of the cost of dentures, but it really depends on your individual policy. Because each plan can differ so greatly, it’s best that you contact your provider directly to get an exact amount of how much you may need to pay out of pocket. Our team at Blackwell Dentistry is happy to help you maximize your benefits by filing claims on your behalf, whether you’re in or out-of-network with our practice.

We recommend that our patients avoid sleeping with their dentures in their mouths, because this can cause them to dry out and fit differently. It’s important to store your dentures in a room temperature glass of water while you sleep to give your gums a chance to rest and recover from a day of supporting your restorations.

Some patients have a difficult time speaking and eating when they first start using their dentures. This is because they aren’t used to them yet, and they still need to build-up certain facial muscles that can help them gain better control over their restorations. Also, many patients notice that they have a lisp at first because they aren’t quite sure what to do with their tongue while their dentures are in the mouth. The best way to overcome this adjustment period is to practice reading aloud or singing in the shower with your dentures on!

Dentures can begin to smell if they’re not being properly cleaned and bacteria has become trapped in the nooks and crannies of the restoration. With ill-fitted dentures, this problem can lead to oral infections as well. Be sure to clean your dentures every day by brushing them with a soft denture toothbrush and denture cleaner. Place them to soak overnight in a glass of room temperature water, and also remember to clean your gums every time you remove your dentures from your mouth. This will prevent bacteria from accumulating within the mouth, causing your restorations to develop a foul smell.