If you are a senior considering dental implants, you may have to worry about issues other dental patients don't have to think about. For example, you may need more time to recover after receiving your implants. My name is Jodi, and I've been working with seniors for years. I decided to create this blog to help the seniors I can't meet in person. In this space, I'm going to post entries on everything related to dental implants and seniors. From tips on flossing implants after arthritis has claimed some of your dexterity, to guiding you through the implants-vs-dentures debate, this blog is designed for you. Thanks for reading. I hope you find what you need!
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Learning to live with full or partial dentures can present a huge adjustment for anyone. You have to change the way you carry out simple tasks you took for granted, like eating and speaking. However, with time, practice and these tips below, you can make your transition period much shorter and go back to enjoying life as you once knew it. Read on to learn more.
1. Speaking
For easier speaking, bite your dentures and swallow once to ensure the dentures are in the right position. Using adhesives can help to keep dentures in place throughout the day. Singing is a great way to improve your speech within a short time, so put your favourite music on and sing your heart out. You can also practice reading aloud when alone so that you can build your confidence when speaking with other people.
If you notice your dentures clicking as you speak, try to speak slower. In the beginning, your cheek, tongue and lip muscles will try to dislodge your dentures. Once they grow accustomed, the clicking should disappear. As you practise, pay attention to sounds you have extra difficulty with. Most people have problems with F and S sounds since these involve your teeth and tongue.
Lastly, confidence is the best way to ease your speech – do not think that other people can hear the difference in your speech; this will only make you more conscious, and often there's only a slight difference in the way you speak.
2. Eating
You will definitely have to give up your beloved chewy foods, at least for a while, until you're accustomed to having dentures. Biting and chewing will feel different, coupled with your fear that the dentures may fall out. In the beginning, food may taste blander, not because your senses are dulled, but because of the stronger signals sent from your mouth to your brain about the new dentures. This will return to normal as you get used to the dentures.
Begin with softer foods in all the necessary food groups to maintain a balanced diet. You can go with fish, eggs, tender chopped meat, mashed carbohydrates and cooked vegetables. Work your way into salads as you gain confidence before tackling chewy foods like steak or carrots. Cut food into smaller, bite-size pieces for easier chewing. Denture adhesive can make chewing much easier, especially if you're eating foods that require you to bite with extra force, such as corn-on-the-cob. Move food around in your mouth to exert equal pressure on your dentures.
A diet high in vitamins and especially Vitamin C is crucial for healthy gums. You may get a multivitamin supplement to complement your dietary intake. Read through the label to find out exactly what you're getting. Multi-vitamins commonly have restricted amounts of calcium; you will need to get another supplement or increase your intake of calcium-rich foods like milk and dairy products, dark-green leafy vegetables and oily fish e.g. sardines among others.
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