Dentures are customized appliances designed to replace a patient’s missing or compromised teeth, and they are so lifelike and comfortable that patients and casual observers often don’t notice that they are there. While these appliances can restore a patient’s appearance as well as their chewing and speaking ability after tooth loss, it takes a while to get used to wearing them. Here’s a brief guide to adjusting to chewing with dentures along with a few tips to help you eat more comfortably.
Start with a Soft Diet
Immediately after you receive your dentures, it’s best to take it easy as far as your food choices are concerned. Since eating tough or crunchy foods such as red meat, crackers, or raw vegetables can stress the underlying gum tissues, it’s a great idea to stock up on soft and mild foods before you begin wearing dentures. A few guidelines to keep in mind include:
- Start with soft foods such as applesauce, scrambled eggs, hot cereal, pudding, and mashed potatoes, as they will put the least amount of stress on your gums and jaws.
- Be careful about hot food. Since dentures provide an insulating effect, it might be difficult for you to judge the temperature of food at first, and eating an item that is too hot can lead to uncomfortable burns. Take care to use your lips to test hot foods before consuming them.
- Refrain from holding liquids in your mouth, as doing so can cause the bottom dentures to come loose.
- Spicy foods can irritate your soft tissues or cause sores, so avoid anything that contains too much spice or acid.
Some Best Practices for Eating with Dentures
While it can take several weeks to get used to wearing your dentures, you can return to eating normal foods as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. A few tips for making this transition go smoothly include:
- Eat slowly, as eating too quickly can make it difficult to chew properly.
- Cut your food into smaller pieces to make it easier to chew.
- Use both sides of your mouth when chewing to help your dentures stay stable.
- Enjoy a beverage with your meals to help wash down food residue.
- Avoid tough meats such as beef. Instead, enjoy proteins like poultry, eggs, fish, and legumes. You can also try meat that has been stewed or slow-cooked.
- Refrain from eating sticky or gummy foods such as taffy, caramel, or marshmallows, as they can pull on and dislodge your dentures during the chewing process.
Dentures have allowed millions of people to beautifully restore their smiles after tooth loss. By taking care to learn to eat properly with dentures, you can adjust to wearing them sooner and enjoy better oral health.
About the Author
Dr. Ramandeep Badhan earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the New York University School of Dentistry and recently completed a Fixed Prosthodontics Mentorship for full mouth rehabilitation cases. He is proud to hold memberships with the American Dental Association and the Central Coast Dental Society. His office in Cambria, CA offers general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as denture services. For tips on adjusting to wearing dentures, contact his office online or dial (805) 927-4811.