Can you still enjoy your favourite foods with dentures? The answer might surprise you.
In this blog post, we’ll be discussing how to eat with dentures, from what you can eat to how to maintain a balanced diet, we’ve got you covered.
Say goodbye to the limitations of having missing teeth, which can impact chewing and oral function. Whether you opt for Valplast dentures, metal dentures or denture implants, dentures can actually restore your oral function and be less limiting than your life before them!
Let’s explore how dentures can transform your dining experience.
Can you eat with dentures?
Yes…you CAN eat with dentures!
Modern dentures are designed to restore the functions of the mouth, including chewing. This means you get to eat a variety of foods comfortably. Most dentures (apart from dental implants) sit on your gums, so they don’t function exactly like natural teeth. This means you might have to prepare your food differently before eating, such as cutting it into manageable chunks if it’s hard or chewy.
Of course, it might take some time to adjust to your new teeth, but with patience, practice and proper care, you’ll find yourself enjoying the foods you once loved in no time.
Eating when you first get dentures
When you first get dentures, you’ll have to be on a mechanical soft diet until you become adjusted to your new teeth. A mechanical soft diet consists of foods that are easy to chew and swallow, typically including cooked fruits and vegetables, tender meats, soft bread, and dairy products. This diet is often recommended for individuals with difficulty chewing or swallowing for whatever reason.
Eating hard, crunchy or chewy foods can put a lot of stress on the dentures, which can then put stress on the sensitive gum tissues that haven’t yet adjusted to the dentures sitting on them. Irritated gums can make wearing dentures feel even more uncomfortable!
This essentially means you’ll have to eat soft, chopped foods for a few weeks to a few months. Your expert dental clinician will give you the green light to try new foods when you visit them for checkups.
What to eat when you first get dentures
When you first get dentures, you should avoid the following foods:
- Sticky or chewy foods
- Hard foods like nuts and hard candies
- Tough meats and fibrous vegetables
- Foods requiring excessive biting force
- Very hot or cold food and drink items
- Foods with small, hard particles
- Excessively spicy or acidic foods.
Instead, you can eat:
- Soft fruits and vegetables
- Tender meats and fish
- Cooked grains and pasta
- Soft bread and crackers
- Dairy products like yoghurt and cheese
- Soups and stews
- Eggs in various forms
- Smoothies and milkshakes.
How to maintain a balanced diet when wearing dentures
We want our patients to maintain a well balanced diet, even if their palette is restricted for a few weeks. We’ve compiled a list of food items from each food category that you can enjoy, so you’re not compromising essential nutrients!
Fruits and Vegetables
- Soft, cooked apples
- Bananas
- Cooked carrots
- Mashed potatoes
- Avocado
- Steamed spinach
- Cooked peas
- Smoothies
Proteins
- Tender chicken or turkey
- Fish fillets without bones
- Soft tofu
- Scrambled or poached eggs
- Cottage cheese
- Cooked lentils or beans
- Hummus
Grains
- Cooked rice
- Soft pasta
- Oatmeal
- Soft bread without seeds or crusts
- Pancakes or waffles
Dairy
- Yoghurt without fruit chunks
- Milk or dairy alternatives
- Soft cheeses like brie or mozzarella
- Pudding or custard
- Cottage cheese
Soups and Broths
- Creamy soups without chunks
- Broths with soft vegetables and meats
- Pureed soups like butternut squash or tomato
Returning to your normal diet
- Start gradually: Introduce new foods slowly to give your mouth time to adjust. Begin with softer foods and gradually incorporate harder or chewier items.
- Cut food up: Make sure to cut your food into small pieces, especially hard foods like apples, and chewy foods like steaks.
- Chew carefully: Take small bites and chew your food thoroughly to avoid discomfort or dislodging your dentures. Pay attention to how your dentures feel while eating.
- Monitor sensitivities: Be mindful of any discomfort or sensitivity while eating certain foods. If you experience any issues, consider avoiding those foods or consulting your dentist for adjustments.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water with your meals to ensure any small particles of food are being washed down.
- Practise good oral hygiene: Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your dentures and gums daily, as well as visiting your dentist for regular check-ups.
- Listen to your body: Pay attention to how your mouth feels when eating different foods. If you experience any discomfort, adjust your diet accordingly and consult your dentist if necessary.
- Be patient: It may take time to fully adjust to eating with dentures, so be patient with yourself during the process. With time and practice, you’ll become more comfortable and confident in your ability to eat a wide range of foods.
Once you are fully healed, it is important to note that even the best false teeth don’t completely function the same way as natural teeth. Although with implant dentures you can enjoy all your favourite foods with discomfort or risk, other dentures such as flexible dentures and acrylic dentures sit on top of the gums, so have a small risk of being unstable and delicate.
Because of this, it’s important to remember to continue being careful, chopping hard foods into manageable chunks and avoiding sticky foods.
Transform teeth and oral function with dentures
Struggling with chewing and eating due to missing teeth?
Life without dentures can be challenging, impacting your ability to enjoy your favourite foods and affecting your oral health.
But there’s hope! Dentures can restore both function and confidence to your smile. Don’t let discomfort and difficulty eating hold you back any longer.
Contact Kevin Manners to schedule an appointment and transform your oral function.