Can you eat with dentures?

Dentures restore the appearance and functionality of your smile, including activities such as talking and eating. However, since the muscles of your mouth and face must adjust to the appliance, its a learning curve to eat with dentures. Still, when done properly, learning to eat with your dentures can be a positive experience and you'll be back to eating your favorite foods in no time at all.

If you have questions or concerns about eating with your dentures, please don't hesitate to contact the team at Legacy Dental. We are here to support you in any way that you need.

Dentures are made to function similarly to your natural teeth. Therefore, you should ultimately be able to get back to enjoying most of your favorite foods. It is important to note that when you first get your dentures, you may have difficulty eating firmer foods as your body adjusts to the feeling of the dentures on your gums. When you first get your dentures, you'll want to stick to softer foods, such as:

• Soup
• Oatmeal
• Rice/pasta
• Scrambled eggs
• Yogurt/cottage cheese
• Applesauce
• Canned fish/chicken
• Poached, stewed, or broiled fish/chicken
• Potatoes
• Pudding
• Gelatin

When learning to eat with your dentures, you need to avoid the following foods and be sure to consult with the team at Legacy Dental before incorporating them back into your diet:

• Crusty bread
• Crunchy peanut butter
• Chewing gum
• Crunchy fruits, such as apples and pears
• Pretzels
• Crackers
• Popcorn
• Corn on the cob
• Whole nuts
• Well-done beef or other stringy/tough meats
• Sticky candy
• Raw veggies

When you first get your dentures, eating will be a challenge. However, if you keep these tips in mind, the process will be much easier:

Take it easy
Start with soft foods that don't require a lot of chewing to eat. As you get adjusted to the dentures, you can expect some soreness and tenderness.

Test temperature on lips before eating
Due to the insulation provided by the denture's materials, they can impact your perception of temperature. Therefore, to avoid burning your mouth, you'll want to test the temperature on your lips first.

Take smaller bites
When eating, cut your food into smaller pieces or take smaller bites to give yourself time to adjust to the mechanics of chewing with dentures.

Chew differently
With natural teeth we generally chew on one side at a time. Some of us even have a favorite side to chew on. But with dentures, you will be more successful if you try to chew on both sides at the same time. If you chew on only one side with denture, it tends to dislodge the opposite side of the denture. It takes a little practice to learn to chew on both sides at the same, but practicing with soft and then harder foods will help.

Things may taste different
When you get new dentures, your brain is processing new signals and sensations from a foreign object. Therefore, ordinary signals and sensations such as taste are impacted- but eventually, your taste will return as your body gets adjusted to the dentures.

Avoid spicy foods
When you're just getting adjusted to your dentures, your gums may be sore or irritated, and spicy foods will only make it worse. Therefore, you need to avoid spicy foods until you feel you are adjusted to them.

Use the right adhesive
The right adhesive will keep your dentures comfortably in place. Make sure that you speak with the dentist before switching brands.

Clean mouth/dentures properly
Taking the time to clean your mouth and dentures properly will help you avoid irritation and infection.

If you need tips on properly maintaining your dentures, speak with the team at Legacy Dental.

Keep in mind that learning to eat with your dentures may take some time. However, you will eventually be able to confidently enjoy your favorite foods- especially if your dentures are replacing broken, decayed, or damaged teeth. If you have any questions or concerns about dentures or other dental needs, the team at Legacy Dental is here to help.

Schedule your visit today to learn more about getting used to eating with dentures.

1. “Foods to eat for new denture wearers”. Fixodent. 
2. “EATING AND SPEAKING WITH DENTURES”. Oral-B. 
3. “What to Eat When You Get Dentures”. Silverado Family Dental. 
4. “FOODS TO AVOID WHEN WEARING DENTURES”. EVP Dental.
5. “Dentures”. Aspen Dental.