text: i have a serious dental question,several issues and questions..please no jokes? i am in the process of getting all of my teeth pulled and getting dentures, due to periodontitis what is the best thing to use to hold them tight? do they look natural? can you eat what you want to and chew gum? do they make you talk funny at first? how long are your gums sore? is it painful when you get the teeth out one day and get dentues immediately? i have heard that the top ones are easier to get uded to than the bottom ones..is that true? sorry i am asking so much, but i am terrified!! i'll answer what i can, but i can't answer every part of your question. if the dentures are really well-fitted, you may not need anything to hold them tight. the office i worked in always gave little tubes of fixodent to patients when they needed something to hold them over until they'd get an adjustment on their plates. some dentures look very natural. it all depends on the time, effort, and quality put into the product. you should be able to eat what you want to, but i'm not sure about gum. your dentist, oral surgeon, or the dental assistants should be able to tell you what is safe and what would damage your dentures. i don't think it's any more painful to have the dentures immediately (they act as sort of a "bandage"), but you'll be able to get away with fewer adjustments if you're able to wait until your gums heal and the swelling to go down (but that is entirely up to you, just make sure to communicate with your dentist in advance if you need the dentures immediately, or they won't be ready in time).  i understand you're afraid, but don't hesitate to call and ask questions at your dentist or oral surgeon's office. they deal with it all the time, and can answer your questions (or arrange for a doctor or assistant to call you back to answer your questions) to help you set your mind at ease. good luck, and i wish you the best.