What Can You Eat With Dentures?

Issues that lead to tooth loss or extraction

It can be embarrassing to have missing teeth. It is also difficult to maintain a well-balanced diet. People often lose teeth because of poor oral hygiene. A lack of brushing and flossing can lead to tooth decay or gum disease. Untreated, teeth can fall out or require extraction.

In other situations, tooth loss can occur due to accidents or injuries. A hard blow to the face can knock out a tooth. Or a broken tooth can be too severe to repair. Extraction could be the only solution if treatments such as a crown or veneer will not work.

Eating right after getting dentures

It can take some time to get used to wearing dentures. Though the appliance allows patients to resume normal eating habits, it is wise to ease into things. Eating soft foods in the first few weeks after treatment is the wisest approach. Patients should plan on as little chewing as possible, so pureed items can help. These include applesauce, pudding, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes. Other soft foods are not hard on the gums and will not irritate the person’s mouth.

The right diet going forward

Once the person is accustomed to the dentures, many foods are fair game. A person with the appliance should be able to handle fruits, vegetables, grains, and pasta. Chewing on both sides of the mouth and chewing until the food is in small bites is important. The patient should also chew slowly and make sure to drink plenty of water. People who are worried about damaging the appliance can also cut the food into smaller pieces.

What to avoid

Dentures are not indestructible. Both the acrylic base and the artificial teeth can crack, break, or fall out. Hard-to-chew foods such as steak and other meats should be avoided. Sticky items such as gum can pose problems, as well. Hard food such as candy, popcorn kernels, ice, and apples can damage the dentures too. The dentist can also answer any questions or resolve concerns about what to eat or not eat.

Enjoy the meals you have been missing

Living without teeth can affect your self-image and self-esteem. It may also compromise your ability to eat the things you enjoy most. Dentures can help you eat more foods and get the nourishment you need. Following these guidelines can give you peace of mind and prevent damage or other problems with the apparatus. Before you get dentures, make sure you talk to your dentist about what to expect and how you can eat a more diverse diet.

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