Mouth-in-Training

Ok, so today was my first full day with a full set of teeth in my mouth after only half a set for almost a year and a half. I totally expected aches because let’s face it: for a year and a half, my mouth slowly shrank, subtly changed shape, and coped with the missing lowers.

The great part is that this dental office includes 2 free months of adjustments afterwards. I called today and made an adjustment appointment for two weeks to allow time to discover any issues.

The lowers will need a gentle additional lining. Last night, I discovered they were hopping around at times. This morning, for the time being, I picked up some Sea Bond lowers and those made the fit wonderfully comfy. But since they will fit them better for me, this is just a two week fix. The uppers are ever so gently loose and those, too, will need a little more lining.

I am trying to re-learn how to eat centered and evenly (we all favor one or the other side of our mouths, I think). During that year and a half, I was basically just putting food in my mouth and sort of letting it rest on my gums and then gently crushing it with the uppers. I had to be careful that I didn’t come down too strongly and cut my gums.

Yep, it’s a whole new thing. I keep cussing myself gently every time I bite the inside of my cheeks. I have lots of little pinch-creases inside. 

I am trying to learn how to lift my lower jaw for real chewing.

I am also slowly trying foods I was not able to really bite, a little here and there. It’s only been one day, after all. Tonight, while they are resting, the ache in my face and jaw is gone already. I’m trying to smile, widely, as often as I think of it, to stretch things back in place.

So, I have no choice but to be careful as I adjust to these new replacement dentures.

But go ahead, ask me what my favorite thing to eat is, of the things I have tried since last night? Go ahead - ok - ready? Kettle baked really crunchy potato chips! In the past 14 months, whenever I’ve been near them, all I could do was put one in my mouth and let it soften and then squish it against my lower gums with my upper dentures. Flavor was there, but I surely did miss that crunch! Woo hoo! I'll be a good girl and cut them out after this excitement passes...

Rolling along...