Extractions & Immediate Denture: Four Weeks Later

It has been four weeks since I've had all of my upper teeth extracted and my beautiful immediate denture placed.

Last week my denture started to fit loosely. So, I started using adhesives. I had a couple samples from the dentist. Whatever the white/cloudy adhesive is that I tried, it was HORRIBLE! I could not get the glue off unless I scrubbed the roof of my mouth with a damp washcloth. The pink adhesive I used ended up being my favorite. It held better and was much easier to remove. Came off with some toothpaste and my toothbrush.

This past Monday, I went to the dentist and had a soft reline done.

The soft reline started off as a rubbery gel and was added to the entire inside of my denture. The rubbery goop-filled denture was then put it my mouth. I was told to bite down and to make sure that when my mouth was closed, it felt like a comfortable resting position for my teeth.

After about 4-6 minutes (that seemed like 10), the goo filled denture was removed. The dentist had some tools for filing down the excess rubbery reline. This goop turned into a soft, but rubbery, perfect mold of my gums. It was supposed to make my denture fit more comfortably.

After she was finished filing and trimming the reline, she had me put the denture in my mouth. It definitely wasn't loose anymore, but there were some rough edges towards the back. I asked if she could smooth them. I went to take out my denture for her and I couldn't remove it.

The soft reline molded so well with my gumline and the roof of my mouth, that it was an actual struggle to take it out!

That's a good thing!

Later that evening, I noticed a very harsh rubbing on the backs of my denture. I could tell they were going to cause sore spots (canker sores). Instead of going back to the dentist, I took matters into my own hands. I used clippers to chop the bigger chunks away and a file to smooth them down. Then, they were perfect. Today, still perfect. No sore spots.

It's Thursday, now. I had the soft reline done on Monday. I have yet to use any adhesives and I have yet had the need to use any adhesives. That makes me happy.

I am amazed at how much the soft reline has improved the way I speak, hold my mouth shut or wide open (pictured below) with the denture slipping out of place. I have even been eating everything, even meat. I still need to cut certain things in smaller bites (pictured below), but that's okay. I'm still new to this game.

I won't blog as often anymore, especially not weekly, because I feel the majority of my transition has happened and I've talked about it. Explained it all in my own words. I will touch base periodically, though.

Week four's awesome things:
• Pain free.
• No need for adhesives.
• Not thinking twice about smiling.
• Back to eating most solids.
• Happiness.

<3

Denture Wearing: Three Weeks Later

It's been three weeks since all of my upper teeth were extracted and I had my immediate denture placed.

I have been removing the denture nightly since day two. This past week I have started to use a denture adhesive (glue). I needed to start using it. Since my gums were not really swollen anymore, even with swallowing to re-suction, my denture seemed to fall out of place while talking, coughing, yawning or basically whenever it wanted to. I knew adhesives were going to be needed, but I didn't know they'd be this frustrating to use.

I am using two different types right now. Not at the same time. Just samples. I am trying to use the same sample for a few days then switch to see which is best for me.

Getting used to the adhesives hasn't been easy. Putting it on was a big FAIL for the first couple of days. I ended up with the adhesive too far back on the roof of my mouth and hated the taste. Then, when I tried to remove it, it was seriously like glue, and stuck to me. I was gagging so much trying to remove it all. I still haven't found the best way to remove the adhesives, but I am getting by. I use a bit of toothpaste and my toothbrush and a lot of scrubbing.

I think I have finally gotten the hang of using it. Well, sort of. It's only been a week. I'm definitely not a master!

I remove my denture from it's nightly solution, rinse and dry it off. I brush my teeth, rinse well then dry off where I know the adhesive will do. I then put three small pea sized dots of adhesive on the front of pallette area. Not on my gums because they're still healing. I then press and hold the denture in place for like 30 seconds. After that, I close my mouth and swallow a few times to suction the denture in place well. The denture seems to stay in place after about two minutes. Then, I am set for the whole day.

I have noticed around dinner time, the adhesive isn't as strong as it was. So, I am careful when I eat if it's a really chewy dinner.

That's another thing that's happened this past week.. I have started eating REAL  food again. My husband grilled out some chicken breasts with corn on the cob. I knew I could bite the corn, but really wanted some chicken! He cut the corn off the cob for me (awww) and gave me a plate with chicken. Knife and fork in hand, I tried a small piece. He made it so tender! I ended up eating two or three breasts! Oh man, it was so good! I didn't realize just how much I missed chewing. I missed eating real foods!

I have noticed that, even though I can chew foods, I am having the worst luck with small amounts getting stuck between the roof of my mouth and my denture. With the adhesive still sticking well, I hate to remove my denture just to rinse my mouth. After spicy foods, this is a necessity though! So, I guess I will have to reapply adhesives multiple times a day so that I don't keep food stuck between.

My gums are still healing. Still a little swollen. So the denture is still painful, mostly in the evening or after trying to chew more than I should. I have new sore spots on the front of my gumline. I am hoping once I see the dentist again, and get more of that gooey filling stuff added in, they will fit a little more comfortably.

I will update and blog again after that appointment (which I think is tomorrow or the next day).

Thanks for reading!
:-)

Post-Denture Appointment & My Health

Yesterday, (February 29, 2016) I had a dental check-up to see how I was healing after the extractions. Really, I went in because I am still in pain and thought there might be something wrong. Everything looked great though.

He said I'd actually been wearing the denture TOO much for my gums being so raw. Most people wear there's for a few hours a day. I'd been weaing mine all day and only taking them out at night. I thought that's what he told me to do. Oops! He said to help my gums heal faster, I should take them out for a few hours a day to let my gums breathe. Idk when I'll do that. Nap time? Wait a little longer to put it in in the morning? Take it out earlier in the evening?

I am still on Ammoxicillion for the strep I found out I had last week, but my throat no longer hurts and am no longer contagious. I do have an odd teenage boy voice still and a very nasty persistent nagging cough. I have an appointment with my PCP today to see what's going on with that.