Dentures offer a reliable form of tooth replacement that can allow you to eat many of your favorite foods. However, getting used to dining with your new prosthetic can take some time and practice. You might even run into unexpected challenges. How can you get used to eating with dentures? Here are some tips that might make the process a bit easier:
Start with Soft Foods
Soft foods require less chewing and put less pressure on both your dentures and your gums than tougher foods would, and they do not have crunchy or hard parts that could cause irritation. They make a great starting point for your adjustment period! Things like cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and scrambled eggs are all great choices.
Cut Food into Small Pieces
Dentures are not meant to directly tear chunks off your food; doing so could destabilize them and cause discomfort or possibly even damage your new teeth. Instead, cut food into bite-sized pieces before putting it into your mouth.
Chew Evenly on Both Sides
Before you got dentures, you might have chewed on only one side of your mouth to minimize oral discomfort. Now that you have a full set of functional teeth, you should not do that anymore. Try to distribute food evenly between the left and right sides of your mouth. This can prevent your denture from destabilizing and minimize the risk of sore spots on your gums that can result from excessive pressure.
Avoid Sticky or Hard Foods
Sticky and hard foods can spell trouble for dentures! They might pull your dentures off your gums, cause discomfort, or even get stuck beneath your prosthetic and cause irritation. Therefore, it is best to avoid things like caramel, chewing gum, and tough meats. As you adapt, you might gradually start to incorporate foods that require more effort to chew, but extremely sticky choices should also be avoided.
Call Your Dentist if You Need Assistance
While a few hiccups are to be expected as you integrate dentures into your lifestyle, things like severe pain, ongoing speech difficulties, or an inability to chew are not normal. Call your dentist if you have any persistent or extreme challenges. You might need to get your dentures adjusted.
Be Patient and Persistent
Expect some awkward moments and even a bit of frustration during your adjustment period. For some people, it takes a few weeks or even months to become totally comfortable with their denture. Keep practicing, and eventually, you should reach the point where eating with dentures is easy!
Meet the Practice
At Gillis Dental Professionals, we take great care to design dentures so they fit well and function reliably. We are committed to supporting our patients in whatever way we can in order to help them benefit fully from tooth replacement. If you have questions about dentures and how to get the most out of them, contact our Needham team at 781-202-6357.