Post-Operative Instructions: Immediate Dentures

Immediate dentures are dentures placed immediately after tooth extraction. They help patients avoid staying without teeth as they heal. Immediate dentures are a significant step towards a transformed smile, but your mouth needs time to heal and adapt. Westmoreland Family Dentistry gives post-op instructions on how to navigate the first few days and weeks with confidence.

The first 24-48 hours:

  • Don’t remove your dentures: It may feel strange at first, but don’t remove them the first night unless directed by your dentist. They act as a bandage, helping to control swelling and bleeding while protecting the extraction sites. Removing them too early could allow tissues to swell, making it difficult to put them back in.
  • Take pain medication: Mild soreness, pressure, and swelling are expected. Take ibuprofen or other pain medication as directed. It helps to take the first dose as soon as possible to manage discomfort when the anesthetics wear off. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling for the first 24 hours. Call your dentist immediately if discomfort worsens or you notice signs of infection (like fever or pus).
  • Oral hygiene: Be sure to clean your gums and remaining teeth as usual. However, don’t rinse your mouth with salt water until after 24 hours. Additionally, don’t spit to avoid disrupting the clot formation. Instead, let saliva drool out gently in a sink.
  • Denture removal: The first few times of removing and reinserting your dentures may feel tight or sore. To release suction, gently press on the back outer corner with your finger—downward for an upper denture, upward for a lower—until it loosens, then repeat on the other side. Your technique will become easier as you get used to your mouth’s unique shape.
  • Denture cleaning: Initially, there may be blood inside your denture, but this is normal. Gently brush your denture with non-abrasive soap, then rinse with warm water. Swish warm water in your mouth and use your tongue to clean the gums—let the water drool out instead of spitting.

Diet during recovery:

It’s important to observe good nutrition to encourage healing. However, avoiding foods that may irritate your healing sites is essential. 

Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid soda and alcohol. Stick to soft, cool foods like protein shakes, jello, yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or smoothies. As your gums heal and you get more comfortable chewing, you can gradually reintroduce more textures. Avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods until you’re fully healed.

Expect adjustments:

As the gums heal, the jawbone shrinks. This may change the fit of your immediate dentures, usually after 6-12 months. Regular follow-up visits will allow your dentist to adjust your dentures for comfort and function. Eventually, a more permanent denture will be necessary to fit your healed mouth.

Be patient with yourself:

Having dentures in the mouth can be overwhelming. Our mouths are not designed to accommodate small foreign objects. So, your denture can feel like quite a “shock.” As a result, you may experience excessive drooling and speech changes. However, be patient with yourself, and your dentures will soon be part of your everyday life.

Schedule an appointment today!

Immediate dentures are a beautiful bridge between tooth loss and permanent restoration. With proper care and some patience, they’ll become a natural part of your daily routine—and your confident new smile. If you ever feel unsure during the healing process, call (706) 535-2300 and talk to Westmoreland Family Dentistry.