Learning to eat with your dentures can take a bit of time. But don’t worry! With practice, you’ll enjoy your favorite foods once again.

Tooth loss can happen from decay, severe gum disease, or an injury. But luckily, you don’t have to live with missing teeth! A full or partial set of dentures can complete your smile with natural-looking teeth. Full dentures are used when all natural teeth are missing, while partial dentures replace a few lost teeth by anchoring the device to nearby healthy teeth. 

Your dentures, made of plastic and metal, will conform to the natural shape of your jawline and match the color of your natural teeth. In addition to replacing missing teeth, dentures can also support your facial muscles. Without that support, the shape of your face may change, and you don’t want that! But if you are new to dentures, your top-of-mind concern may be how you will eat with dentures. But with some practice and tips, you can enjoy all your favorite foods effortlessly. Read on to learn how.

Four tips for eating with dentures

When you first get your dentures, your gums may feel a bit sore. You may also experience mild discomfort as the muscles of your cheeks and gums get accustomed to holding the dentures in place. You might notice an increase in saliva in your mouth, as well. All those minor irritations will soon disappear as your mouth adjusts to the dentures. 

With dentures, you’ll be able to chew as you would with your natural teeth, but be patient, as it may take some time. These four pointers can help you again eat delicious, healthful meals, even with dentures.

Eat soft foods at first. When initially fitted with dentures, you may need to eat soft foods for a while. To make chewing easier, cut food into small pieces. And chew slowly, using both sides of your mouth.

Gradually add more foods to your diet. As you become more accustomed to dentures, you can gradually add more solid foods to your diet. However, limiting extremely hard, sticky, or hot foods is a good idea. And chewing gum is a no-no. 

Be careful how you bite. Bite gently to protect your dentures and keep them secure. If you must bite a hard item, such as an apple, make sure to use your canine or “eye” teeth. If you bite with your front teeth, you may displace the dentures.

Avoid foods that could irritate gums. Steer clear of foods with shells or sharp bones that could irritate gums. Nuts and seeds can get under the dentures and aggravate gums, too. 

Taking care of your dentures

With time and practice, your dentures will feel and function as your natural teeth. But you must take care of your dentures to maintain good oral hygiene. Here are some tips for keeping your dentures in good condition and your mouth healthy.

Clean daily. Clean your dentures every day to remove food particles. Brush your gums, the sides of your cheeks, and your tongue daily to stimulate blood flow and reduce plaque and bacteria buildup. It will also keep your breath fresh.

Brush with non-abrasive toothpaste. Regular toothpaste is too abrasive for denture material and could leave small cuts where bacteria breeds. Ask your dentist for non-abrasive toothpaste. And always brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Soak dentures overnight. Soaking your dentures overnight in a solution will maintain their shape and keep them from getting brittle. But never submerge in hot water that could warp the dentures. 

Use a denture adhesive. Some people prefer the extra support a denture adhesive provides. However, if you find yourself using more and more of the adhesive but your dentures still aren’t fitting right, see your dentist. You may need an adjustment or a new set of dentures.

Visit your dentist. Whether you have full or partial dentures, see your dentist at least twice a year. These visits can check for decay and other oral issues, such as oral cancer. 

Do you need dentures? 

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Oklahoma City location today! Our highly trained dentists can fit you with perfect dentures to restore your smile! Don’t live near our Oklahoma City office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Oklahoma City, OK
12448 St Andrews Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73120