One of the benefits of dentures is that they make it possible for you to enjoy all kinds of foods again, even after extensive tooth loss. However, eating may be somewhat challenging at first because it will take time for your mouth to get used to your new prosthesis. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to make the adjustment process easier. Below are 5 useful tips that help you adapt to eating with your dentures.
1. Stick to Soft Foods at First
You don’t want to put too much pressure on your dentures early on, as doing so could lead to sore gums. It’s best to take it easy on your mouth at first by staying away from particularly hard, chewy, crunchy, or tough foods; instead, stick to softer options such as scrambled eggs, yogurt, soft cheese, tuna, egg salad, shaved ham, applesauce, and bananas.
2. Gradually Build Up to Firmer Foods
After eating only soft foods for a while, you should reach a point where you’re ready to try eating firmer foods again. Don’t force yourself to return to a normal diet immediately. Start with relatively easy-to-chew foods and slowly work your way up to firmer meals at a pace that you’re comfortable with.
3. Pay Attention to How You Chew Food
Chewing with dentures is not the same as chewing with natural teeth. If you only chew on one side of your mouth, it can easily cause your dentures to slip out of place. Thus, when learning to eat with your new prosthesis, you should get in the habit of chewing on both sides of your mouth at the same time. You can make this easier by chopping your food into smaller pieces that are easier to handle.
4. Do Not Bite with Your Front Teeth
When you use your dentures to take a bite out of your food, the teeth you use for the task can make a difference. Trying to bite with the front teeth could cause your prosthesis to move around and result in considerable discomfort. It’s better to use the canines (the fang-like teeth immediately next to the front teeth) instead.
5. Always Drink Water While Eating
In the early days of eating with dentures, it’s a good idea to keep a glass of water nearby. The liquid can make food less likely to stick to your prosthesis and cause problems. On top of that, a sip of water can soften your food, thus reducing the amount of chewing required.
It can take a few weeks to completely get used to eating with dentures, but if you follow the tips above, it won’t be long until you’re able to enjoy your meals to the fullest again.
About the Practice
Here at Boston Smile Center, our dental team has been helping patients in Brookline and the Greater Boston area take care of their smiles for more than 35 years. We’re proud to offer personalized dentures as a solution for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth. To schedule a consultation at our office, visit our website or call (617) 739-1017.