Denture Recovery Instructions

Denture Post Operative Instructions

DAY 1 – IMMEDIATELY AFTER DENTURE DELIVERY

Keep your denture in place for the first 24 hours after surgery (including while sleeping), unless there is excessive bleeding or soreness. Your denture acts as a bandage to help control bleeding and limit swelling.

Maintain a liquid to soft food diet on the day of surgery.

 

DAY 2

The morning after your surgery, gently remove the denture twice a day and rinse your mouth with salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 8oz glass of water). Cleanse the denture by gently brushing with warm salt water or a denture cleanser and rinsing underwater. DO NOT USE TOOTHPASTE TO CLEAN DENTURE.  Replace immediately, as swelling may occur and you may be unable to reinsert the denture. Sleeping with your denture is optional after the first night.

Using denture paste (Poligrip, Fixodent) to hold the denture is not allowed during the healing process. We will inform you when you can use denture paste.

 

HEALING PROCESS – WHAT TO EXPECT

The removal of many teeth at one time is quite different than the extraction of 1 or 2 teeth. Because the bone must be shaped and smoothed prior to the insertion of a denture, the following conditions may normally occur:

 

  • Minor bleeding can last up to 2–3 days. Biting pressure on the denture will promote clotting and decrease bleeding. Do not chew with the denture, as this can create a pumping action that can increase bleeding. Avoid rinsing, spitting, smoking, or the use of a straw for the first 24 hours. If heavy bleeding continues, remove the denture and bite on folded gauze pads firmly for 10-15 minutes.
  • The swelling usually reaches a maximum in 2-3 days. For the first 1-2 days, ice applied to the outside of the face over the areas of extraction can help reduce swelling. Sleeping with the head elevated can minimize swelling.
  • Discoloration (bruising) around the eyes, face, or neck may occur.
  • A sore throat may sometimes develop. The muscles of the throat are near the extraction sites. Swelling into the throat muscles can cause pain. This should subside in 2-3 days.
  • Blisters and/or canker sores may develop as your gums adjust to the dentures. Your bite may feel imperfect.  Once your swelling has decreased, we will evaluate the site for a possible denture adjustment.  This should relieve sore spots and correct the bite.
  • After a few weeks to a few months, you may notice your denture being a little loose; a soft reline will help the retention of the denture.

 

DIET

Although you have replaced extracted teeth with a denture, you will not be able to eat regular foods until the healing process is complete and adjustments are performed by your dentist. Your dentist will advise you when the healing process is completed. 

A liquid to soft food diet is recommended on the day of surgery. For the rest of the first week, limit your diet to soft, nutritious foods and drink plenty of liquids.  

Do NOT eat hard or crunchy food (i.e crackers, cookies, nuts, hard candy, etc.). This may cause the denture to break, chip, or fracture.  Should your denture break, chip, or fracture after 3 months of use, there will be a fee charged by the dental laboratory to repair it.