The Importance of Immediate Dentures and Essential Aftercare Tips

Are you looking for immediate denture instructions? Stay on this page, and you’ll learn all you need.

When patients request immediate dentures, it’s usually because they’re facing a full mouth extraction and don’t wish to be left without teeth while waiting for their mouth and gums to heal.

Immediate dentures protect the surgical site and allow for immediate function. However, you need to know a few essential things about caring for your dentures and mouth at various stages of the healing period.

Why Are Immediate Dentures Important?

Immediate dentures offer several benefits, including:

• Restored Functionality – They allow you to speak and eat more comfortably while your gums heal.
• Aesthetic Appeal – You won’t have to worry about gaps in your smile during healing.
• Protection for Extraction Sites – They act as a bandage, helping to minimise bleeding and swelling.
• Gum Shape Preservation—Wearing immediate dentures helps maintain gum contours, reducing the risk of excessive bone shrinkage.

Following appropriate postoperative instructions to help heal and keep dentures in top shape is critical for benefiting ultimately from immediate dentures.

Immediate Denture Aftercare: What You Need to Know

Day of Denture Insertion

Once the dentist has inserted your dentures, it’s vital to rest for the remainder of the day, as excessive activity could exacerbate swelling and bleeding. Do not be tempted to remove the denture, as the swelling could make it challenging to get it back in.

Pain and suffering can be lessened with over-the-counter medicines like Ibuprofen, while swelling can be minimised with an ice pack.

After the First 24 hours

On the day after the extraction, remove your immediate dentures. Wash your hands first, then gently remove the denture over a water-filled basin to prevent any damage should you accidentally drop it.

Immediate dentures should be rinsed carefully under cold water and gently scrubbed inside and out using only a denture brush and cold water. Do not use a denture cleaner, soap or toothpaste.

Then, place the denture on one side of the counter and rinse your mouth with a teaspoon of salt water dissolved in warm water to guard against infection. Clean any remaining natural teeth as you would normally and insert the denture back into your mouth.

Remember to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Repeat the process for three days, keeping the denture in your mouth each night until the surgical sites have healed.

Day 4 and Beyond

On the fourth day following extraction, it’s time to remove your denture before bed. Rinse and brush it as mentioned above, then leave it to soak in cold water while you sleep.

Rinse your mouth once more with salt water. In the morning, rinse the denture before placing it back in your mouth. Continue rinsing your mouth with warm salt water for 7-10 days.

Follow the dentist’s or oral surgeon’s instructions and take any prescribed medicine as directed.

For the first few days after surgery, you will need to switch to soft food or a liquid diet. We recommend eating eggs, soup, pasta, smoothies, yoghurts, and bananas. You can gradually introduce solid foods as the week progresses.

During the initial healing period, avoid hard foods like carrots, nuts, pretzels and chewy foods like dried fruit and bagels. Take a nutritional supplement if necessary, as good overall health speeds up healing.

Long-Term Denture Care

Your mouth will change as it heals. The gums and bones will shrink, causing your dentures to become loose over time. To maintain comfort and functionality, you may require adjustments or relining.

Key Long-Term Denture Care Tips:

• Regular Adjustments – Visit your Auburn dentist periodically to adjust your dentures for a better fit.
• Denture Relining – You may need a soft reline to improve comfort and fit as your gums heal.
• Daily Cleaning – Always clean your dentures daily to prevent plaque buildup and maintain oral hygiene.
• Never Use Hot Water – Hot water can warp dentures, affecting their fit.
• Avoid Abrasive Cleaners – Use only denture-safe products to clean them.
• Keep up with Oral Hygiene—Even if you have no natural teeth remaining, clean your gums, tongue, and palate to prevent infections and bad breath.

While awaiting permanent dentures, immediate dentures serve as a stopgap measure. Typically, they are worn for 4-6 months before transitioning to a final set of dentures.

Caring for immediate dentures is an essential part of your healing journey. Following proper aftercare steps will help you stay comfortable, promote faster healing, and ensure your dentures remain in good condition.

Dentures Aftercare in Auburn

If you’re considering immediate dentures or need adjustments to your current set, our skilled dentists in Auburn are here to help. We provide affordable, high-quality, well-fitting dentures to restore your smile and confidence.

Why not schedule an appointment if you’re about to lose your teeth or require a new denture?

Call your Auburn dentist at (02) 8214 8999 or visit us at Shop Q50, Auburn Central Shopping Centre, 57-59 Queen Street, Auburn.