Eating With Dentures – Beginners Tips

Have you just been fitted with new dentures? It is going to take you a little while to get used to them. Not only will you eventually get accustomed to how they feel in your mouth, but you will also find eating with dentures to be interesting. It will take a little practice, and with the tips listed below, over time you’ll forget that you are wearing dental appliances.

How To Eat With Dentures

Your first few times of eating with dentures will be a learning experience. The most important thing to keep in mind as you learn how to eat with dentures is to take your time. This means not rushing through a meal to get to the end of it.

The food you eat still requires proper chewing before it is swallowed. The reason for this is to avoid indigestion. Your false teeth are intended to replace your natural teeth and eating with them is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy.

Eating With Dentures For The First Time

When you begin eating with new dentures, it’s a good idea to start easy by choosing to eat soft foods or liquids. These are foods that do not require a lot of chewing but will help you to get used to the chewing action with dentures in your mouth.

Soft foods also reduce the amount of stress your gums can experience as you learn how to keep your dentures in place while eating. Soft foods for dentures include puddings, soups, pasta, eggs, and oatmeal. Any of these are great foods to eat with new dentures.

Cut Food Up And Watch Hot Liquids

While you are learning how to eat with new dentures, one simple trick to assist with this is to cut your food up into smaller pieces. Small pieces are much easier to chew and won’t require as much time in your mouth provided you chew each piece thoroughly.

It may not be easy to judge the temperature of liquids when you first start eating with false teeth. Hot liquids should be avoided for the first few days to prevent you from getting burned. You can take smaller sips until you think you can handle more.

Chew Evenly

When answering the question, “How can you eat with dentures?”, it is important to point out that since we all tend to favor one side of our mouths over another, chewing habits have to change once you begin wearing false teeth or partial dentures. It is quite common to favor one side without even knowing it.

By purposely chewing on both sides of your mouth, you will not only exercise the gums and muscles of your mouth evenly, but you will also be doing something good for your dentures. Chewing evenly extends the life of false teeth by not wearing one side down more than the other.

Foods To Eat With Dentures

As noted above, when eating with partial dentures for the first time you will want to start slowly with soft foods. As your mouth and gums adjust to the feeling, you will be able to move up to semi-solid and eventually to regular solid foods.

Because your false teeth have replaced your natural teeth, they will eventually function as if they have always been in your mouth. In other words, you should be able to eat just about anything just like you did before you were fitted for false teeth.

Foods To Avoid With Dentures

Sticky and chewy foods should be avoided at least until you are used to how to chew with dentures. The reason for this is that foods that stick to your false teeth can dislodge them causing your dentures to slip and possibly fall out of your mouth.

Another reason to avoid sticky and chewy foods when you are chewing with dentures is that some of that food can get trapped between teeth. This creates extra work for you in keeping your oral hygiene in check.

For a more in-depth look at eating with dentures and the foods you can enjoy and should avoid with dentures, click here.

Can You Chew Gum With Dentures?

If you are a new wearer of false teeth, chewing gum is not a good idea. That is because the gum can stick to your dentures and pull them out of place. This can result in an upper or lower plate coming out of your mouth and getting damaged if it hits a hard surface.

However, there is such a thing as chewing gum for dentures. The makers of this product claim that the gum will not stick to dental work. Once you are used to your dentures and are confident in your chewing abilities, trying some of this type of gum won’t hurt.

Can You Eat Steak With Dentures?

Steak is considered a chewy food item. Chewy foods are difficult to eat with new dentures simply because they can dislodge plates and particles can get stuck between teeth. However, if you cut the steak into small pieces, it will be easier to consume.

Remember to chew meat thoroughly before swallowing and that you will be required to put a little extra effort into cleaning your dentures after such meals. Once you are used to your false teeth, you can start adding chewy items to your diet.

In Conclusion

Eating with dentures is not impossible. You just have to take your time and let your mouth and gums get used to the feeling of your dental appliances. By following the tips listed above, you will eventually have no problem eating with false teeth.

Are you a denture wearer? What tips have you got for eating with dentures? Please share below…