If you are new to the world of dentures, it can be a confidence boost! You have a new smile to show off, but one thing that you might wonder about is how it will affect your diet. With something new in your mouth, it can take a bit to get used to it while eating. As you become more accustomed to your dentures, here are some foods to avoid and alternatives you should choose instead.
Foods to Avoid with Dentures
When you first start eating with dentures, you may experience some gum sensitivity or a wobbly feeling in your new dentures. Don’t worry! As you get used to them, these side effects will quickly wear off. In the meantime, here are some foods to avoid:
- Chewy and Tough Meats: Steak, beef jerky, and other chewy meats can be harder to enjoy with dentures. The extra chewing can cause your gums to become sore, and it may also dislodge your dentures! You can still eat them, but it’s best to cut them into bite-sized pieces!
- Sticky Sweets: These foods can be difficult to chew, but they may stick to your dentures. Sweets like caramel and taffy can make them slip out of place.
- Hard Fruits and Vegetables: Crunchy carrots and apples can put excess pressure on your dentures. As you’re learning to eat with your dentures, they can easily damage your new smile. Cooking vegetables can help make them softer, and blending fruit into smoothies can make it easier to eat them!
- Nuts, Seeds, and Popcorn: These can get trapped underneath your dentures when you eat them. The stuck pieces can then irritate your gums and cause sores until they are removed.
- Dark Drinks: Red wine, tea, and coffee can stain your new teeth! You can still enjoy these drinks, but rinsing your dentures immediately afterward can help lessen staining.
Denture-Friendly Foods
At first, it may seem like dentures limit the freedom you once had with natural teeth, but it’s important to remember that it takes time to get used to wearing dentures! It’s recommended to eat softer foods until you learn how to navigate your new set of pearly whites. Some soft foods you can enjoy are:
- Pasta
- Rice
- Eggs
- Ground meat
- Soups and stews
- Soft fruits, like bananas and peaches
- Cooked vegetables
- Soft sweets like ice cream, pudding, and custard
How Can I Expand My Menu?
If you miss some of the foods that you should avoid with dentures, you can consider attaching your dentures to dental implants! With them, you can have a stronger bite force compared to traditional dentures. Dental implants can also anchor the dentures, making them less likely to be dislodged. They act like natural teeth, so you can enjoy pretty much anything you want!
Adjusting to dentures can seem like a long journey at first. You can talk to your dentist about ways to keep your meals exciting while also keeping your new teeth safe!
About the Practice
Dr. Alberto Lamberti has over 15 years of experience helping people enhance their oral health. He earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and a Postgraduate Specialist in Prosthodontics program at the Central University of Venezuela. Dr. Lamberti offers a wide range of services, including restorative treatments like dentures. To learn more, schedule an appointment or call us at (561)338-7535.