If you’ll be getting new dentures soon, you’re probably very excited about all the possibilities your new smile will bring. From speaking clearly to once again enjoying your favorite foods, your prosthetics will instantly restore the appearance of your grin. But using them to chew may take a bit longer. That’s because like with any new pursuit, using dentures may take a bit of getting used to, especially if they’re your first pair. But don’t despair. Here are a few tips and tricks to make adjusting to eating with them a lot easier.
Watch Where You Bite
When you use your natural teeth, you use different ones to take specific types of bites. For instance, if you cut a piece of steak, you likely chew it with the back teeth, while for biting into an apple, you would typically utilize the front. With dentures, however, it’s recommended that you use your canines so that you don’t dislodge them when you bite down.
Start with a “Mechanical Soft Diet”
A mechanical soft diet is one that consists of mostly of mushy or pureed foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes, or scrambled eggs. You can also enjoy oatmeal, pudding, yogurt, hummus or anything else of a similar texture, just be sure to start out slowly, and once you’ve mastered chewing those foods, you can gradually add in harder options.
Avoid Anything Sticky or Chewy
Sticky, chewy foods can be difficult to break down initially, but even once you’ve mastered dentures they’re still not recommended. Not only are foods such as caramels, taffy, and gummies harder to chew, but they can also be very hard to clean off your dentures.
Drink Plenty of Water
If you regularly drink water with meals, this is a great habit to continue with your new dentures. This helps soften your food as you chew and washes away particles of debris that could stick to your smile!
Have a Seat
Let your dentures inspire you to sit down and enjoy your food. While it’s easy to forget to do this in a ‘grab and go’ society, sitting down will force you to focus on proper chewing instead of gulping down air and improperly breaking down your meal, both of which can cause indigestion.
Chew on Both Sides of Your Mouth
With your new dentures, there’s no longer a need to chew with or favor one side of your mouth. In fact, distributing your food evenly will help keep them in place while you eat, so don’t be afraid to use them for what they’re meant for!
Remember, it could take a few weeks or more to master chewing with your new dentures, but with a little practice, patience, and persistence, eating with them will be as easy and natural as it was with your real teeth.
About Dr. Gromling
Dr. Thomas Gromling has dedicated his career to helping patients reveal their most beautiful smiles, including those restored with the help of dentures. If you are missing teeth and are ready to bring back your own gorgeous grin and start enjoying your favorite foods again, please schedule a consultation for dentures by visiting our website or calling us today at 540-869-4377.