Dentures can look great, feel comfortable, and restore your ability to enjoy a wide variety of nutritious, filling snacks and meals. As functional as they are, though, dentures are not meant to handle certain foods. What foods should you avoid with dentures? This blog post provides some practical guidance.
Sticky Foods
Sticky foods, like taffy, toffee, and caramel, are delicious, but they have a major drawback. They might pull your dentures right off your gums! Even if that does not happen, there is still a chance that these sticky treats could get stuck on your prosthetic teeth, making cleanup a challenge. If you are craving a sweet treat, you might opt for soft baked goods instead.
Hard Foods
Hard foods, such as nuts, can place a lot of pressure on your dentures as you chew. If you are new to your prosthetic, this can be very uncomfortable. Plus, if you make the mistake of only chewing on one side of your mouth, your dentures could become destabilized. It is best to avoid nuts and similar items until you are a pro at using your new teeth.
Tough and Chewy Foods
Similar to hard foods, tough and chewy foods, like certain cuts of meat or crusty breads, can take a lot of energy to consume. They might cause your gums or jaw to become sore. Try to gravitate toward softer alternatives, like soft breads, ground meats, and slow-cooked meats.
Foods with Small Pieces
Items like popcorn, seeds, and chips can break into small pieces that get stuck in your prosthetic teeth. They might even get lodged under your dentures and start to cause gum irritation. If you would like a salty treat, try snacking on pitted olives or air-puffed chips instead.
Staining Liquids
Items like tomato juice, coffee, and red wine might cause your dentures to become discolored over time. (Coffee might even cause a dry mouth, which make make it uncomfortable to wear your dentures.) If you consume highly pigmented items, do so only in moderation, and be sure to thoroughly clean your dentures afterward. The last thing you want is for your new smile to lose its radiance!
Dentures can allow you to eat most foods — but a degree of caution is in order! Make wise choices so you do not harm your oral tissues or your prosthetic teeth.
Meet the Practice
At Family Dental Practice of Newington, we have a large team of general dentists and specialists who are proud to serve our community. If you would like to learn more about dentures and how to take care of them, we would be happy to speak with you. Get in touch with our friendly staff at 860-856-6201.