You’re likely very excited about getting your dentures. They will help give you a full smile that you love with a stronger bite. However, eating with them may take some time to get used to. You’ll maybe feel sore initially, but adjusting your meals can help make this process easier for you. Here are some foods that aren’t safe for your prosthetic and options you should look for instead.
Foods You Should Avoid with Dentures
In short, the main thing you should be worried about is the texture of what you fill your plate with. Tough or chewy meats need to be worked on before you can swallow them. Munching on them for longer increases your risk of slippage, so avoid steak, beef jerky, and other similar foods.
Additionally, hard items can spell bad news for your dentures as well. Raw carrots or apples need a stronger bite force to get through, which can shift your prosthetic, but also damage it if you aren’t careful. If you are one to eat seeds, nuts, and popcorn, then you may want to stay wary of them. These can easily get lodged between your gums and irritate them.
Although you might enjoy sticky candies, they can cause some trouble. Taffy, caramel, and other similar sweets can pull at your dentures. This can increase the odds of them falling out.
Denture-Friendly Food Options
It’s normal to still crave the foods above, especially if one of them is a favorite. The good news is that by simply preparing them, they can become safer to consume. For instance, cut them into bite-sized pieces that are easier to chew. Also, blend fruit into smoothies or boil vegetables to soften them.
Not only that, but there are still plenty of options that you can enjoy instead. The culinary world is still wide open, with a varied range of foods that can be made in many ways. Using different spices and preparation methods, you can keep mealtime exciting. Here are some tasty ones people love:
- Pasta and rice
- Ground meat
- Cottage cheese and yogurt
- Oatmeal and porridge
- Eggs
- Ice cream
- Pudding
- Custard
Is There a Way to Expand Your Menu?
As you get used to your dentures, you’ll be able to slowly introduce harder foods, but they may still not be entirely comfortable to eat. If this is true for you, then you can consider attaching them to dental implants. These are posts that are placed and fused to your jawbone, which your prosthetic will connect to. Instead of sitting on your gums, they will have much more stability.
Getting dentures is an exciting thing for many people. Keep in mind the foods you should avoid and learn towards; that way, your full grin stays safe and protected.
About the Author
Dr. Dhavalkumar Rana earned his dental degree from New York University. He uses his knowledge and expertise to give the Mesquite community the best care possible. Dr. Rana is proud to offer dentures, dental implants, or both as reliable treatments for missing teeth. You can trust that your results help you feel your best. If you are interested in filling the gaps in your smile, schedule an appointment or call his office at (469) 399-7288.