Dentures have allowed countless patients to achieve complete and functional smiles after tooth loss, and these appliances have advanced significantly since George Washington wore false teeth made of ivory. Unlike primitive dental prosthetics, modern dentures are incredibly comfortable and can effectively chew a wide variety of foods to allow for a varied and nutritious diet. Here’s a brief guide to how you can more easily adapt to eating with dentures.
Start with a Soft Diet
When you start wearing dentures, it’s a great idea to stick to a soft diet and begin eating tougher or crunchier foods as you become more comfortable doing so. This will give your gums some time to adapt to supporting your dentures during the chewing process, which can prevent much unnecessary discomfort and stress as well as inflammation and irritation of the soft tissues. A few excellent food options include:
- Eggs
- Yogurt
- Soft cheese
- Broiled or poached fish
- Meatloaf
- Egg or tuna salad
- Cold cuts like ham, turkey, roast beef, and pastrami
Using a blender to puree tough foods and make smoothies may be a great way to enjoy a varied diet while adjusting to wearing dentures.
Go Easy on Your Gums
The chewing process can be quite stressful for your gums immediately after receiving dentures. Give them a break so they can heal smoothly by keeping these tips in mind:
- Chew slowly and gently
- Use both sides of the mouth when chewing to give all the muscles exercise
- Avoid hard and sticky foods
- Avoid acidic and spicy foods and beverages such as soda, wine, hot peppers, and hot sauce
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth
- Be careful when eating hot foods, as dentures may make it harder to sense heat, which can lead to burns
- Cut your food into small pieces to minimize the burden chewing puts on your oral tissues
How Can I Achieve Superior Chewing Power?
Some patients may have trouble eating with traditional dentures. Thankfully, using dental implants to give your appliance a strong foundation will allow you to exert maximum chewing power while preserving the health of your jawbone and extending the life of your dentures. Once you have recovered after receiving implant dentures, you’ll be able to handle all sorts of foods that can give traditional appliances trouble such as sinewy steaks, snappy raw veggies, and smokey corn-on-the-cob.
Dentures can dramatically improve your oral health as well as the quality of your diet. Consulting with your dentist can help you determine the best way for you to address tooth loss.
About the Practice
Waterford Dental Group offers excellent oral healthcare to the Dublin community. Led by a team of twelve general dentists and specialists, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys pleasant experiences in a friendly and comforting setting. Areas of expertise include general, pediatric, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry such as dentures. If you are interested in how dentures may be able to help you, contact the office online or dial (925) 803-5888.