Adjusting to Dentures

Dentures require an adjustment period, but with practice – and patience – you will be able to accommodate them quite naturally.

When you are first learning to use your dentures, eat soft foods. Cut your food into small pieces and chew slowly. To keep your dentures from tipping when you eat, chew on both sides with your back teeth. After a few days, when the dentures feel more comfortable, gradually try coarser and harder foods until you are able to eat a more normal diet. Avoid eating sticky or very hard foods until you have more experience.  Learning to chew takes practice.

Speaking: Sometimes wearing dentures can make a difference in the way you pronounce certain words. To help overcome this, practice reading aloud. If the denture teeth click together when you talk, speak slower. If you continue to have problems, bring them to your dentist’s attention.

Appearance: When you first get dentures, your facial expression may seem different. Not to worry.  A more normal expression will return when the muscles of your cheeks and lips accommodate the dentures. Some people don’t really notice the details of their own face until after they get dentures.  Often, these features existed when you had your natural teeth, but only became noticeable after you started wearing dentures.  The good news is that denture may even improve your appearance.  The shape of your face may be changed, facial, creases can be eliminated and undesirable features may be minimized.

Upcoming: tips on denture maintenance.

About the Author

Dr. Brent Ingram received his doctorate of general dentistry from The University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and his undergraduate degree at Pepperdine University. A practicing dentist since 1996, Dr. Ingram assumed ownership of Complete Dental Care in 2001.  He maintains current credentials in leading-edge dental technologies, including Invisalign orthodontics, endodontics, laser surgery and cosmetic dentistry.  He is a member of the Santa Clara Dental Society, the American Dental Association and California Dental Association.

Stopping the Grind

Bruxism, the involuntary clenching and grinding of teeth, is a major dental problem.  It can cause headaches, damage to teeth and fillings, as well as neck pain.

Since tooth grinding happens primarily during sleep, most people are unaware that they do it; and although it may be mild in some cases, if left undiagnosed it can be painful and costly when complications occur over time.

Are you a grinder?  Here’s the test:

• Do your teeth touch or make contact when you are not chewing?
• Have you had wear, damage or fractures of teeth, fillings, or crowns?

Am I Hypersensitive?

Do you experience tooth pain?  Have a prickly or jolting sensation when consuming cold or hot food and beverages? When brushing or flossing?

If so, you may have what we call dental hypersensitivity.  It’s a condition that affects nearly 1 out of 4 adults.

Causes of hypersensitivity include: eroded or chipped enamel, natural changes in your gums and recession, where gums pull away leaving teeth and nerves exposed.

Contributing factors

• Cold/hot foods and beverages
• Over aggressive brushing/flossing
• Diets high in sweets or acids
• Periodontal surgery
• Smoking
• Dental cleanings leading to
• Exposed Dentin

Our recommendation

Sensodyne toothpaste contains ingredients that help stop the pain of hypersensitivity, and builds protection against future pain.

About the author

Dr. Brent Ingram received his doctorate of general dentistry from The University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and his undergraduate degree at Pepperdine University. A practicing dentist since 1996, Dr. Ingram assumed ownership of Complete Dental Care in 2001.  He maintains current credentials in leading-edge dental technologies, including Invisalign orthodontics, endodontics, laser surgery and cosmetic dentistry.  He is a member of the Santa Clara Dental Society, the American Dental Association and California Dental Association.

Are Dental Implants Right For Me?

Do I Have Gum Disease?

Gum disease is not always easy to spot.  You don’t even have to be in pain to have it.  The symptoms are swelling or soreness of the gums around your teeth caused by plaque, a sticky, colorless film that forms on the teeth.  If it is not removed by brushing or flossing, it can infect your gums, teeth and supporting bone structure.  Untreated, gum disease can result in the loss of your teeth and increase your risk of stroke and heart attack.

That’s why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly.

Three stages of gum disease

Dr. Brent Ingram’s staff

Dr.Brent Ingram’s staff

Welcome to Fall 2010

This quarters newsletter is all about end of year benefits and new things happening at the office.

Click this link to download this quarters newsletter.

  Fall 2010 newsletter (3.0 MiB, 141 hits)