Dentures are a reliable method for restoring your smile’s functionality and appearance after tooth loss. They allow you to speak clearly and enjoy meals more like you used to. However, it’s important to note that it can take about a month for your tongue and the other supporting muscles in your mouth to fully adapt to working around them.
During this period, it’s natural to have challenges chewing until you’ve mastered the basics. If you’ve been struggling to acclimate, continue reading to learn 3 tips that can help you adjust to eating with dentures!
Tip #1: Start With Soft Foods
Tooth loss can keep you from enjoying your favorite foods, and once you’ve been fitted with dentures, you might feel tempted to indulge in all the dishes you’ve been missing to make up for lost time. However, your gums are likely to feel sore when you initially begin wearing your artificial teeth. They’re held in place by suctioning firmly against the ridges in your mouth, and it can take a few weeks to become desensitized to the additional pressure.
Until then, you might want to steer clear of any foods that are hard, crunchy, sticky, spicy, or hot because they can further irritate the tender tissues inside your mouth. Stick with softer options that are easier to chew and swallow, like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, applesauce, pudding, and yogurt.
Tip #2: Check the Temperature
If you’ve ever eagerly taken a bite of something that hadn’t yet cooled down, then you’re familiar with the painful burning sensation that follows. There’s a good chance you quickly learned the value of sensing your food’s temperature before putting it in your mouth. However, the acrylic base of your dentures acts like a buffer and can insulate your gums, so it’s harder to feel whether something is too hot or cold. You may want to develop new habits to avoid a potential problem.
For example, you might gently touch anything that you’re eating to your lips before you chow down. That way, you’ll know if it’s too hot to consume and can avoid blisters or burns.
Tip #3: Chew Carefully
People tend to grind their food more on one side of their mouth than the other, which can be problematic for those with dentures. Consistently placing more pressure on a certain area can dislodge your restoration or prematurely wear it down on one end.
To ensure that it stays in place and in good shape, try to evenly distribute food in your mouth when you’re eating. You may also want to cut your food into smaller pieces and chew slowly and carefully so that your prosthetics remain firmly attached.
Although it can be frustrating to eat with dentures in the beginning, try to be patient with yourself. Keep practicing, and soon, you’ll be so well-adjusted that you might even forget you’re wearing them!
About the Author
Dr. William Poe has 35+ years of experience helping families improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. He graduated from UCLA in 1983 and from USC Dental School in 1988. Since then, he’s undergone additional extensive training in cosmetic, orthodontic, and neuromuscular treatments. Whether you need basic preventative care or want to restore your smile, he’s an expert who can help. If you have suffered tooth loss and are looking for resilient replacements, you can request a consultation appointment on the website or call (562) 594-5067.