Dentures are a great tool; they can restore your smile’s beauty and allow you to eat a wide variety of nutritious and tasty foods. But they do take some getting used to. At first, eating with dentures might feel strange or even challenging. How can you adapt to your prosthetic and ease into a comfortable eating routine? This blog post provides some helpful tips.
Start with Soft Foods
Beginning your journey with dentures is easier when you stick to soft foods during the initial days. Options like yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and cooked vegetables are gentle on your new teeth and require less effort to chew. Soft foods help you adjust while giving your mouth time to adapt to the sensation of wearing dentures.
Cut Food into Small Pieces
Slicing your meals into smaller, manageable pieces before you eat makes chewing and swallowing much simpler. When your food is bite-sized, you reduce the risk of putting excessive pressure on your dentures, which could destabilize them or cause discomfort.
Chew Evenly on Both Sides
Chewing food evenly on both sides of your mouth helps keep your dentures stable and prevents them from slipping out of place. Try to distribute food so each side gets equal use. This technique also protects your gums and helps you avoid sore spots.
Avoid Sticky or Hard Foods
Steering clear of sticky and hard foods reduces the risk of discomfort and helps you avoid accidental movement of your dentures. Sticky items like caramel, chewing gum, or tough meats can tug at your dentures and make eating difficult. Instead, choose meals that are easy to chew and swallow, thereby supporting a smoother adjustment process.
Practice Patience and Persistence
Adapting to eating with dentures takes time and persistence. It is perfectly normal to experience some frustration or awkward moments at first. Stay positive and give yourself grace throughout each meal, knowing that you will become more comfortable with practice and patience.
Call Your Dentist if You Need Assistance
Most patients get used to their dentures within a few weeks or months. If you are still struggling after that time, or you run into severe challenges, call your dentist. They might be able to adjust your prosthetic or provide other assistance that helps you get the most out of your dentures.
Eating with new dentures is a learning process, but with a bit of time and practice, it will likely not be long before you can dig into your favorite foods with confidence!
Meet the Practice
At Family Dental Practice of Bloomfield, our team is proud to provide a broad range of high-quality treatments, including dentures and denture maintenance services. If you have questions about tooth replacement or how to get the most out of your new prosthetic, we would be happy to speak with you. Contact our office at 860-263-0441.