Dentures are used to replace missing teeth and help bring back your smile. However, finding the right dentist for you and the proper diet for your dentures is essential.
Once you get them, you need to be aware of the type of foods that you can eat or not eat to keep your dentures safe. Check out this guide for a list of foods to avoid with dentures.
Raw Fruit and Vegetables
Certain raw fruits and vegetables should be avoided when wearing dentures. Foods like carrots, apples, celery and other tough vegetables require a lot of chewing and can cause your dentures to slip or cause them to chip or break. These foods can be difficult to bite into and could easily damage your dentures.
Soft fruits such as grapes, blueberries and strawberries are better options, as they are easier to bite into and provide important vitamins and nutrients. You can also enjoy cooked or pureed vegetables, as these are softer and easier to chew. Avoiding tough raw fruits and vegetables will help to ensure your dentures stay in good condition.
Hard Foods
Hard foods such as hard candy, nuts, and hard crusty bread can damage dentures. These hard foods can cause your dentures to crack or break. Additionally, very chewy foods that require a lot of pressure, like gum and toffee, can damage dentures.
The same goes for raw vegetables and fruits that require a lot of chewing, like apples or carrots. These hard foods can cause your teeth to bite incorrectly and crack or chip your dentures.
To help prolong the life of your dentures, it is best to avoid hard or chewy foods if possible and instead opt for soft food options like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and cooked vegetables.
Tough Meats
Tough meats are among the worst foods to avoid with dentures. Tough meat can be highly abrasive on dentures. When trying to chew tough meat, you may not be able to effectively use your entire mouth and jaw to break up and chew the heart, which can cause your dentures to slip and shift.
Additionally, tough meats often require more force than usual to break them into pieces, which can strain your dentures and potentially cause them to break. Though eating some tough meats is not inherently “dangerous” for denture wearers, it is best to avoid them to ensure the longevity of your dentures.
Sticky Foods
Sticky foods such as toffee, saps, and caramel should be avoided when wearing dentures. These types of sticky foods can adhere to a denture causing it to warp over time as it is difficult to remove them and plaque can build up on the denture.
Additionally, sticky foods can increase the likelihood of choking or accumulation of food particles in difficult to reach areas. If sticky foods are consumed, it is best to thoroughly clean dentures afterwards to ensure no residue remains.
Generally, any food requiring extra chewing or maneuvering should be avoided for those with dentures. If you need replacements for your dentures, check out this front tooth flipper.
Understanding the Foods to Avoid With Dentures
It is essential to know the foods to avoid with dentures to have proper oral hygiene. If you have any doubts about denture care, speak to your dentist! Start taking care of your dentures today to enjoy your meals and have a healthy smile tomorrow.
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