There’s no question that dentures work well as replacement teeth; patients wouldn’t get them otherwise. Still, learning to eat with these prosthetics can be a bit of a challenge. You may struggle to have nice meals with them at first, as they take some getting used to. The good news is that your Dallas dentist is here to help with your adjustment. To that end, consider these four helpful tricks for eating with dentures.
Eat Soft Foods for a While
When you first get dentures, don’t just dive right into solid foods; start with soft ones instead. This temporary change of diet will make your long-term adjustment easier.
You see, new denture wearers tend to struggle with tough and solid foods. Many of the latter – raw carrots, red meat, crackers, etc. – can easily stress the gums, making their inflammation more likely. That means you’re better off sticking to soft foods for a while. Not only will scrambled eggs, applesauce, and pudding go easy on your gums, but they’ll also prepare you for solid fare later.
Skip the Sticky Stuff
You should try to avoid sticky foods if you use dentures. As tasty as they can be, they’d put your restorations at risk.
The main issue is that sticky stuff can delay your adjustment to dentures. Because they often cling to your prosthetic teeth, “leftovers” could dislodge your device by adhering to your molars. That means you should try to lay off caramel, peanut butter, taffy, and so on.
Cut & Chew with Care
Dentures aren’t permanent parts of your mouth, so you’ll need to cut and chew food carefully. Your restorations could destabilize if you don’t.
In particular, there are several “cautious eating” approaches you should take. One would be to cut your meals into thin strips; doing so makes your meal easier to chew and helps you get full faster. Another idea is to use both sides of your mouth when you eat. That way, you could keep your dentures stable as you chew.
Don’t Forget to Practice
Even if you struggle to eat with dentures, you shouldn’t lose heart. Taking time to practice will eventually let you get the hang of it.
Practice makes perfect for many things, including your dentures. Using them consistently will help them feel more natural to you over time. By the time you’ve had your prosthetics for a few weeks, you should be able to chew with more force and move to firmer foods.
As you start eating with dentures, please remember the tricks above. They should help you enjoy your favorite meals again!
About the Practice
Dental Center of Lakewood is based in the Lakewood area of Dallas, TX. Led by Drs. Travis Spillman and Jacquelyn Green, our practice strives to meet all our patients’ oral needs. We do that by offering a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, all tailored to your unique smile. Such comprehensive dental care ensures each visit leads to a thriving grin! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (214)-823-5253.