Are you new to dentures? There are some common problems you might struggle with when you start out. One of the most common issues is difficulty with chewing and eating with dentures. Often, people notice their dentures slip out or certain foods get stuck underneath their dentures. It takes some time to get used to but if you continue reading our tips for eating with dentures, it could help you out in the long run!
Chew Evenly & Start Slowly
For the first few days take it easy! Don’t try and chew too fast. Ease yourself into your first few meals and try to chew evenly. Most people have a habit of chewing on one side of their mouth more than the other. But when you have a mouth prosthetic like dentures, this can cause them to slip out. Chewing with the front of your teeth is also something to avoid. It might be hard to get used to at first, but eventually, you’ll be doing it without a thought!
Try Denture Friendly Foods
Soft Foods will be your best friend since they don’t require excessive chewing. Using these kinds of foods will help you practice the first tip we mentioned, which is to start slow and chew evenly. The more trouble you’re experiencing chewing, the softer the foods you should be trying. Eating foods that are crunchy, sticky, hard, or require lots of chewing can put stress on gum tissue and increase irritation. Some food suggestions for a soft diet include:
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurt
- Soup
- Oatmeal
- Soft cheese
- Meatloaf
- Cooked fruit
- Mashed potatoes
- Pancakes
- Pasta
- Ripe avocados
- Tofu
- Apple sauce
- Icecream
- Soft fruit like bananas (avoid fruit with small seeds or particles like strawberries or raspberries)
Avoid hot liquids. Hot coffee and hot chocolate are everybody’s vice, but you need to be extra careful with them right after you get your dentures. You might burn yourself and realize it too late since dentures have an insulating quality to them. To avoid severe burns, be cautious with hot drinks and take small sips first to test out the temperature of your drink. In addition to mouth burns, you shouldn’t hold hot liquids in your mouth because heat can loosen your bottom dentures.
Spicy Food is another thing to keep in mind. This tip is mostly if you already have existing sores or irritation. Spicy foods can irritate these even further and cause burning or stinging. If you’re a lover of spicy foods, this is another reason to follow the tips in this article to keep your mouth looking and feeling pristine.
Cut Foods Into Smaller Pieces
Starting with smaller quantities of food by cutting your meals up into little pieces can give more manageable bites. This also helps food get on both sides of your mouth so you can chew more evenly.
Try Different Denture Adhesives
Are food particles getting stuck between your dentures? Are you following all the tips from this article and your dentist or denturist? It could be possible that your denture adhesive just isn’t the right fit for you. If you find your dentures are constantly getting food particles stuck underneath them or they’re slipping out of your mouth, a new adhesive could be the answer. Contact your dentist or denturist to be sure this is the issue, and to get recommendations on new brands. At Vranjes Denture clinic, you can book a consultation with us anytime if this is something you’re concerned about.
Returning to Normal Foods
After several weeks of getting used to your new dentures, you might feel ready to switch back to a normal diet. Here are some tips that can help you as you transition into eating harder foods.
- Sit down while you eat
- Continue to cut more difficult foods into smaller pieces
- Drink liquids with your meals to make things softer and easier to swallow
- Still be wary of sticky or gummy foods like taffy, nuts caramel, and peanut butter
Be Patient
Wearing dentures can be a patience game and they take a while to get used to. It’s likely that everything you’re experiencing is normal, so don’t be too hard on yourself! Minor common initial issues with dentures include a little soreness and a reduced sense of taste. Emphasis on minor. If you’re worried about fitting issues or more serious issues contact your dentist or denturist to amend your dentures. Here at Vranjes Denture Clinic, you can book an appointment for denture relines.
Contact us today if you have any other questions or concerns about eating with dentures and living with dentures in general, we’d be happy to help.
