How Can I Get Used to Eating with Dentures?

Dentures have allowed millions of people to enjoy complete smiles after tooth loss, but it can take some time to get used to wearing them. While keeping these appliances in great shape requires a special oral hygiene routine, learning to eat while wearing them can involve a significant adjustment period. Here’s a brief guide to eating with dentures as well as a few tips to make getting used to them a little easier.

Enjoy a Soft Diet at First

When you first start wearing dentures, it’s best to take it easy when eating with them until you get a better feel for the process. It’s an excellent idea to stock up on soft, mild foods that can be easily prepared before you receive your appliance, as chewy foods like red meat or crunchy foods like raw veggies and crackers can put undue stress on your gums. A few suitable foods for people who have recently received dentures include:

• Applesauce
• Hot cereal
• Scrambled eggs
• Mashed potatoes
• Pudding

It’s also important to be aware of the temperature of the foods you eat. Since your mouth will be insulated by your new dentures, hotter foods may be more easily able to burn your mouth. To prevent this, use your lips to test hot foods before eating them. As you get used to eating with dentures, you will be better able to judge how hot foods are.

Getting Back to Normal Foods

It may take a few weeks or more to get used to eating with dentures, but even after you are chewing confidently with them, you must take care to remember that it’s important to be careful when chewing to avoid damaging your appliance. A few guidelines to remember include:

• Eat slowly, as eating too quickly can make you swallow food before it is thoroughly chewed.
• Cut your food into small pieces that your dentures can chew more easily.
• Use both sides of your mouth when chewing to evenly distribute the pressure of chewing. This will help keep your dentures stable.
• Enjoy a beverage with your meal to help wash down food particles.
• Tough meats can be hard to chew, so stick to proteins like poultry, fish, eggs, and legumes. If you’re craving red meat, stick to the stewed or slow-cooked varieties.
• Stay away from sticky or gummy foods like taffy, caramel, marshmallows, peanut butter, and raisins, as chewing on them can dislodge your dentures.

Eating with dentures will only get easier as you do it more. By practicing good eating habits while wearing your new appliance, you can help it last for as long as possible while maintaining your health.

About the Practice

Dentex Dental Group offers the finest dental care available in Philadelphia, PA. Led by Drs. Karina Aloian, Alexander Genkin, and Margarita Levites, the staff treats each patient with personalized and holistic care while maintaining a comforting and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. For more tips for adjusting to wearing dentures, contact the office online or dial (215) 677-3904.