New Smile Is Here

On Tuesday afternoon I got my new dentures. I haven't had a smile this nice in years. I haven't had this many teeth intact in many years. I also haven't had this many changes ever!
When a person gets dentures a lot of things happen. How about eating ice cream and never having brain freeze again? But how about you don't taste the ice cream until it gets to the back of your throat? Suddenly there is all this material covering what you were born with. These dentures cover the roof of your mouth meaning you no longer have sensation there. Your gums are a hard material. The teeth have no feeling. Imagine putting a fork or spoon in your mouth and not 100% certain you hit where you are supposed to go with that utensil because there is no feeling past your lips. The reality in this adventure is that you can't duplicate what you originally had. I am not complaining mind you. I am observing. For a few days to a few weeks there is a new kind of pain when eating. No longer do the teeth hurt when you chew. Now the inside of the cheeks and the edges of the tongue hurt from rubbing against all this material. There are sore spots that move around. Once it leaves one spot it shows up in another. The roof of your mouth is covered as I said and perilously close to your gag reflex.
It has only been 55 hours since these foreign objects were inserted into my mouth. I have eaten ice cream, puddings and this evening I ate some scrambled eggs. I still have not asked them to actually chew anything yet. I am taking a lot of motrin to keep things at bay on the discomfort level. I leave them in at night and that has been uncomfortable for sleeping. The dentist said it will take about two weeks to get used to them. I am excited that the ability to talk has only slightly been affected. Doc said to read out loud, talk, sing in the shower (I think not!! It is a bit scary when I sing) and keep them in. She said to many take them out because they got uncomfortable and eventually don't put them back in at all because they never get past the point where I am now. It is hard not to take them out just for a little rest time. I can see where people would stop wearing them at all doing that. I wont. I will stick it out. I cannot stand how I look without them. I think by next week there may be a couple spots that will need to be adjusted, but it is more me needing to do the adjusting.
I have enjoyed being in public much more. I no longer feel like I look like a freak. As the discomfort subsides my confidence level will rise. I am so looking forward to that. I know that how I feel after only 55 hours will not be the way I feel in 55 days. I will get used to that feeling I have a speculum shoved in my mouth. I will enjoy smiling and laughing again. It was a good thing I did. It does have a price, but a price that I will adjust to.
I will finish the way I have been through this escapade. Take care of your teeth. If you are frightened by your dentist then find a new one. Keep looking, ask people and find one that you are confident with who will help you keep the pretty smile you were born with. It truly will be worth it.