When you get your dentures, you may be excited to get your full smile back. Not only may they help you feel more confident, but you might have a more comfortable time eating your favorite meals. However, as you get used to them, you are likely to feel a bit sore. To make this adjustment period easier, here are foods you should avoid with this prosthetic and other choices to pick instead.
Foods to Avoid with Dentures
Eating with your dentures may feel awkward at first, but these foods can make it even more so! You may be able to feel better with every bite by avoiding:
- Chewy or tough meats, like beef jerky and steak, need to be munched on for a long while before you can swallow them. This can make your mouth sore, but it can also increase your odds of slippage.
- Hard items, such as raw fruits and vegetables, can be troubling to bite through. Apples and carrots are some that can cause movement when eating or even damage your prosthetic.
- Sticky candies, like caramel and taffy, can pull at your restoration, taking them out of place.
- Popcorn, seeds, and nuts can more easily get trapped beneath your dentures. They can irritate your gums if you don’t clean them out.
Safe Options to Stock Up On
While it may seem that there are too many foods that aren’t safe for your dentures, the truth is that there are still plenty of options! The ones below can be made in multiple ways and combinations that can help keep your meals exciting. Play around with different spices, and you can enjoy a flavorful palate. Here are some great choices people love:
- Rice
- Pasta
- Ground meats, such as beef, poultry, or pork
- Cottage cheese
- Eggs
- Yogurt
- Cooked legumes, like baked or refried beans
- Custard
- Pudding
- Ice Cream
Is There a Way to Strengthen My Bite?
Although there are still many more foods that you can enjoy, it’s understandable if you still crave some of the options on the avoid list. You can still have them, as long as you prepare them beforehand. For instance, cut tough foods into smaller chunks so that they are more manageable. Blend fruit into smoothies and boil or steam vegetables to soften them.
That being said, you can slowly start to reintroduce harder foods as you get more comfortable with your dentures. But many people still have some issues with them. If you want to enjoy them to their fullest, then consider attaching your prosthetic to dental implants. These are posts that are placed in your jawbone and use it to help give you a stronger bite. However, not everyone is a candidate for it right away. Talk to your dentist about scheduling a consultation.
Regardless, dentures are a tried-and-true solution to missing teeth. Keep these foods in mind while you adjust to them, and keep your full smile the best it can be.
About the Practice
At Glastonbury Dental Associates, you benefit from a compassionate team of dentists who look after you and your oral health. We are here to help those in the community replace their missing teeth with dentures, dental implants, or even both! By ensuring each prosthetic is made from natural-looking and high-quality materials, you can trust that your results look and feel the great. If you need help adjusting to your dentures, schedule an appointment or call our office at (860) 633-3671.