Nearly 120 million Americans have at least one missing tooth, with over 35 million missing all of them! Replacing your missing teeth with dentures can profoundly impact your smile and confidence. However, it can take some time to adjust to how you eat, whether it is your first set of new teeth or a replacement.
Getting used to your dentures will take several weeks. However, you can follow a few tips to ensure you are comfortable and can include many options in your diet.
Factors Affecting Your Comfort When Eating With New Dentures
For some patients, it is easy to jump back into eating once they have prosthetic teeth. Others may experience soreness, produce extra saliva, and have trouble chewing. Being patient and understanding what impacts how you eat can help you through the process.
How the Denture Fits
How well a denture fits will impact whether you can eat normally. Ill-fitting dentures cause instability and discomfort, making it difficult to chew correctly. A denture that is too loose or won’t stick to the gums can lead to sore spots, further hindering your eating ability.
Salud bucodental
Your overall oral health can impact your ability to eat. Underlying dental issues or poor gum health can make dentures unstable and ineffective while eating. Furthermore, poor oral hygiene habits can lead to gum infections, complicating the eating process.
Adjustment Period
As a new denture wearer, your gums and jaw muscles are learning to work with your new teeth. It will affect how you bite and chew. How long it takes varies for each patient, but with practice and patience, you’ll eventually regain your ability to eat normally when wearing dentures.
Tips for Eating With Dentures
It is an unfamiliar feeling at first. However, by following these tips, you’ll eventually enjoy your meals and eat confidently.
Start Slowly and Eat a Soft Diet
When you first get a set of dentures, your gums need time to adjust to biting and chewing. Start slowly so your gums have time to adjust since they may be sore from dental work, like extractions of your remaining teeth. Eating a soft diet can make your first few meals more comfortable.
Immediately trying to chew could create discomfort, so it takes a few days to get used to the prosthetic. Some good foods to include that won’t disrupt your gums are:
- Puré de manzana
- Harina de avena
- Cooked rice
- Puré de patatas
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogur
- Pudding
- Ripe avocados
- Broth
Dentures insulate your mouth, so you might not realize when foods are too hot. Be cautious of hot liquids that can burn your tissues.
Incorporating Solid Foods
Gradually, your new teeth will feel comfortable, and you can return to your normal food habits. Remember to chew your food thoroughly and use both sides of your mouth. Most people stick to one side, but this could make your false teeth slip out of place. Using both sides will help you chew more evenly.
While learning how to bite and chew, cutting your food into smaller pieces is helpful; smaller bites make it easier and won’t put as much pressure on your gums during this transition period. Always listen to your body for signs of indigestion, bloating, or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Chewing slowly can help your body with digestion and prevent tooth damage.
Although you can reintroduce any food to your diet, there are some foods you should avoid or eat infrequently. They include:
- Hard Foods: Anything requiring you to apply uneven pressure, like apples and corn on the cob
- Tough Meat: Too much chewing and grinding of steak and pork chops can lead to sore spots
- Sticky Foods: Tacky food, like candies and gum, can dislodge the dentures, trap food underneath, and irritate your gums
Any food you find challenging to chew with your natural teeth will be problematic for dentures.
Cleaning Your Dentures for Comfort
Comfortably eating with dentures is easier when the prosthetic is clean. Food particles can get trapped under the denture and irritate your gums. Keep your dentures clean by doing the following:
- Remove and rinse them after each meal
- Soak them nightly in a denture-cleaning solution
- Brush your gums and tongue to maintain good oral hygiene
It is important to brush your dentures daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush. It will prevent harmful bacteria from accumulating on the surface.
Prioritize Your Dental Health
Dentures are an effective tooth replacement option to help you become more confident and enjoy a wide variety of foods. If you have questions about the denture process or need more tips for your adjustment period, contact Dr. Brett Langston, we will help you care for your dentures. We’re here to help you maintain your oral health and return to eating regular food!
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