Dentures, often called “false teeth,” are removable appliances that replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. A common concern for new wearers is whether they can still enjoy their meals. The answer is yes, but the process requires learning new methods and allowing your mouth to adapt. Chewing with a denture resting on gum tissue is fundamentally different from chewing with natural teeth anchored in the jawbone.
Starting Out: The Adjustment Period
The initial phase of wearing dentures requires patience, typically lasting a few days to several weeks before comfort is established. Gums and the underlying jawbone need time to adapt to the pressure exerted by the new appliance, which may cause initial tenderness or soreness. During this period, begin with a diet consisting exclusively of soft foods that require minimal chewing.
Suitable introductory foods include liquids, pureed items, and soft textures like mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and well-cooked cereals. To prevent undue stress on the adapting tissues, all food should be cut into very small, manageable pieces. This gradual approach helps the oral muscles, tongue, and cheeks learn the new coordination required to work with the denture.
Successful Eating Techniques
A major difference from natural chewing is the technique required to keep the denture stable. Wearers should practice bilateral chewing, which involves placing food on both sides of the back teeth simultaneously and applying even pressure. This balanced force prevents the denture from tilting or lifting on one side, which is a common cause of dislodgement and discomfort.
The front teeth on a denture are primarily for aesthetics and should be avoided for biting into food. Biting directly into items like apples or corn on the cob creates a levering action that can easily pop the back of the denture loose. Instead, cut food into small portions and place them onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Denture adhesives can be applied to the fitting surface to enhance stability and improve confidence during meals.
Understanding Food Limitations
Eating with dentures requires adapting to a significant reduction in natural bite force. This change means certain food textures must be avoided or carefully modified. Hard foods like nuts, popcorn kernels, and hard candies pose a risk because they can damage the denture material or create painful pressure points on the gums.
Sticky and chewy items are problematic because they can create a strong suction force that pulls the denture away from the gum ridge. This includes foods such as caramels, taffy, and chewing gum. Tough, fibrous meats like steak or jerky require excessive chewing force, which can destabilize the appliance and irritate the underlying tissue. Choose tender cuts, slow-cooked meats, or cut all meats into very small, thin portions to minimize the necessary grinding action.
Immediate Care After Meals
Maintaining oral hygiene immediately following a meal is an important step in comfortable denture wearing. Food particles, especially small seeds or fibrous strands, can easily become trapped underneath the denture base, leading to irritation and soreness. Promptly rinsing the dentures after eating is necessary to flush away any accumulated debris.
A quick rinse with water can often remove loose particles before they become lodged and cause discomfort. It is also beneficial to use a soft brush or cloth to gently clean the palate and gum ridges after the dentures have been removed. This practice keeps the supporting tissues healthy and prepares the mouth for the next wear cycle.