Dentures can be an excellent way to restore a smile after tooth loss because they are incredibly comfortable and lifelike. However, it can take a while to get used to wearing them, so many patients need some time to learn how to eat with these appliances. Here are a few tips to make learning to eat with dentures a little easier so you can enjoy how these restorations restore much of your chewing ability.
Start Off with a Soft Diet
When you first get your dentures, wearing them may be uncomfortable for a while. Eating tough or crunchy foods like red meat or raw vegetables can put significant pressure on the gums, which can lead to irritation and inflammation. While your gums are getting used to your dentures, keep in mind the following tips:
- Enjoy softer foods: Foods that have been chopped, blended, or pureed are soft and easy to chew and swallow. A few examples include eggs, pudding, applesauce, scrambled eggs, hot cereal, and mashed potatoes.
- Be wary of hot foods: Since dentures create an insulating effect when you wear them, it can be harder to judge the temperature of the food you are eating. Use your lips to test hot foods before ingesting them.
- Refrain from holding liquids in your mouth: This can cause your bottom dentures to come loose.
- Abstain from spicy foods: The acids and spices in spicy foods can cause irritation.
Return to Normal Foods Gradually
While it can take a few weeks to get used to wearing dentures, you can return to eating normal foods when you start feeling comfortable with them. A few guidelines to keep in mind include:
- Eat slowly: Eating too quickly can make it easy to swallow food before chewing it properly.
- Cut your food into smaller pieces: This can make tougher foods easier to chew and swallow.
- Use both sides of your mouth when chewing: Distributing food evenly as you chew can help keep your dentures stable.
- Enjoy a beverage with your meals: Washing down food with liquid can help clean debris from your dentures.
- Avoid hard-to-chew meats or sticky or gummy foods: The effort of chewing items like these can dislodge your dentures.
Eating with dentures will only get easier as you do it more. After a while, it will feel completely natural, allowing you to enjoy yourself confidently at the dinner table.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Graffeo earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the New York University College of Dentistry and completed a post-graduate periodontal mini-residency at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. He has also completed countless hours of continuing education courses to stay up to date in the dental field. His office in Hoboken, NJ offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. For more tips on adjusting to wearing dentures, contact his office online or dial (201) 683-3531.