Throughout the process of getting dentures, many patients look to the future with eager anticipation as they think about all the foods that they will be able to enjoy. However, they might not expect that getting used to eating with dentures can take a bit of time. How can you get through the adjustment period and take in a healthy, varied diet? Here are some practical tips:
Start with Soft Foods
When you first get your dentures, you gums might be a little sore. Trying to consume tough or chewy foods too soon could increase your discomfort. For a while, it would be best to stick to foods that require little to no chewing. Things like applesauce, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes are all good choices.
Be Careful with Hot Foods
Dentures can limit your ability to sense the temperature of the foods you consume. You might accidentally put something extremely hot in your mouth and end up burning yourself. Test hot foods with your lips before trying to eat them so you can correctly gauge whether it is cool enough to eat.
Distribute Food Evenly on Both Sides of Your Mouth
Because dentures can easily become destabilized, you should avoid putting too much force on either side of them. Instead, distribute food evenly on both sides of your mouth as you chew.
Bite Carefully
For the same reason that you should not chew on just one side of your mouth, you should also not use your front teeth to bite into any tough or hard foods. For example, instead of taking a bite out of a whole apple, you should use a knife to take small pieces of the apple, which you would then chew thoroughly with your back teeth.
Drink Plenty of Liquids
Many foods, such as starches, can cling to the chewing surfaces of your dentures, which can cause them to accumulate debris and odors. Drinking plenty of water can rinse away leftover food and help you maintain a clean mouth. Be careful, though, that you don’t hold liquid in your mouth for too long. Doing so could loosen your dentures.
Call Your Dentist if You Need Help
Your dentist understands that eating with dentures comes with a learning curve. They are ready to answer your questions and address your concerns. Getting in touch with them is especially important if you find that getting used to your dentures is taking longer than expected or if your prosthetic is causing you pain. It might not fit you correctly and be in need of an adjustment.
Dentures can enable you to eat most foods! The above tips may help you adjust to your prosthetic teeth as quickly and easily as possible.
Meet the Practice
All Dental in Watertown, MA features an experienced, friendly, and skilled team of dentists. They are proud to offer high-quality traditional dentures, and for patients who are interested in a more stable form of tooth replacement, implant dentures are available as well. To learn more about what to expect with dental prosthetics, contact our team at 617-207-0947.