Information For Immediate Dentures

• Biting pressure on the denture will promote clotting and will decrease the initial flow of blood.  Slight bleeding can last up to 2-3 days.
• To help reduce swelling, you may use an ice compress on the affected side for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first day.  A zip-lock type bag with ice inside, wrapped in a towel, works well for this purpose.
• Limit your diet to soft nurturing foods and plenty of fluids for the first week.
• Don’t take your denture out today, but rinse your mouth with warm salt water before going to bed. (1 tsp. salt in 1 cup warm water).
• Starting tomorrow, carefully remove the denture twice a day and clean with a toothbrush and a low abrasive toothpaste or denture cleanser.  Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• Sleep with the denture in your mouth for one week unless otherwise instructed.  Then you should take it out when sleeping in order to relax the gum tissue.
• Due to the gum shrinkage that occurs as a normal result of healing, your denture will become increasingly loose.  You can use denture adhesives during this period.
• Following the gum shrinkage period (approximately 6-12 months) you will need a tissue conditioner and a reline.  The tissue conditioner will be placed and will stay in the denture for one week.  During this time you will notice that the denture will fit nicely and will stay without the adhesives.  At the end of this week, you will need to drop off your denture at your dentist in the morning so that they may reline it during the day.  You will be able to pick up your relined denture that same afternoon.
• You may experience sore spots caused by the denture being too long or from uneven pressure being applied to the healing gum tissues.  Your dentist will adjust the denture as these problems occur.  It is especially common with immediate dentures for the denture to settle as the gum shrinkage occurs, which will result in sore spots from time to time.