DIET: Eat soft foods until the prosthesis feels comfortable in your mouth and you are no longer getting sore spots. Cut food into small bites and try to chew thoroughly on both sides. Avoid tough, crunchy, sticky foods at first. Your diet may include cooked vegetables, soft meat (i.e. roast chicken), fish, eggs, chowder, ice cream, canned fruit, bananas, cooked cereal, etc. Do not eat steak, hard or sticky candy, nuts or popcorn. Do not chew gum. With time, you will be able to enjoy all the foods you normally eat.

SORE SPOTS: Some soreness is normal during the first few weeks. If you are sore, you must still wear the prosthesis for at least 4 hours a day, including at least one meal a day. Keep your adjustment appointments so we can carefully shape the prosthesis to alleviate your discomfort. If you feel you need an adjustment in addition to those already scheduled, please call.

SPEAKING: Your tongue needs to adjust to your new prosthesis so speaking may be hampered. Sing or read aloud to practice speaking. This will help your tongue adapt more quickly.

NORMAL WEAR: It is best to keep your prosthesis out of your mouth for 6 to 8 hours daily. This allows the tissue in your mouth to rest. Gentle scrubbing of the roof of your mouth and gums will help the circulation, which in turn prevents disease such as yeast infection. It also allows a longer time in between relines since your gums and ridges will be healthier. Most people find the best time for leaving the prosthesis out is at night while sleeping, but you may choose whatever time of day works best for you.

WEAR AFTER SURGERY: Following extractions, do not remove your prosthesis for at least 24 hours. For multiple extractions, Dr. Anzelc will remove your plate for the first time following surgery at your post-op visit. After that continue to wear your denture or partial for 24 hours per day except to take out for brief rinsing or cleaning. You must do this until the sockets and/or incisions have healed.

CLEANING COMPLETE DENTURES AND ACRYLIC PARTIAL DENTURES: Scrub your dentures thoroughly at least once a day. Use a good denture brush (available where you purchase toothbrushes). Commercial cleansers, such as cream type, are good for scrubbing. Cleanser tablets may also be used BUT it is important that the denture(s) not soak more than one half-hour. Further, soaking is an additional step, NOT A SUBSTITUTE, for scrubbing.

CLEANING CUSIL DENTURES: The soft gaskets in your Cusil denture(s) will NOT tolerate the use of a regular denture cleanser or toothpaste. These products will ruin the gaskets & cause you to need a reline far sooner than normal. Use the "Cusil Cleanser" provided with your Cusil and a very soft toothbrush. Also, "Cusil Stain Away" is available for tough stains.

CLEANING PERMASOFT LINERS: Use Ivory Soap, cool water, and a soft toothbrush to clean your permasoft. Do not use commercial cleansers or soaks. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub. Do not scrub with a denture brush.

CLEANING ACRYLIC REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES WITH METAL CLASPS: Commercial denture cream or paste cleansers are good and should be used in conjunction with a denture brush. Cleanser tablets may also be used but it is important that the partial not soak for more than one half-hour in these strong solutions. You must thoroughly scrub the clasps on your partial or you will have a tendency to get decay on the teeth clasped by your partial. If not completely removed, the invisible plaque on the clasps will give off acids, which eat through the teeth (causing the decay).