Dentures are a great way to improve your oral function and transform the appearance of your smile. However, this dental prosthetic requires very specific care to ensure they are kept in the best shape. When learning to care for them, one important step is learning what foods to avoid while wearing dentures.
At Jenson Dental, we understand how important it is for patients to protect their dentures from potential damage that can lead to oral irritation. Your investment in dentures is time-consuming and costly, making protecting them an important part of caring for them. If you want to learn more about foods to avoid while wearing dentures, keep reading.
Why Should You Avoid Certain Foods with Dentures
When you are preparing to get dentures, you are likely thinking about the major ways this is going to impact your everyday life. But, have you considered how the food you eat will impact your dentures? Eating while wearing dentures can be a bit difficult at the start, and there are several foods you might want to avoid altogether.
Softer foods like yogurts, soups, potatoes, and cooked vegetables aren’t as aggressive, allowing you to eat without causing damage to your dentures. However, choosing to eat tough or sticky foods can begin to degrade the materials used to create your dentures. Eating these foods can lead to frustration and costly denture replacements.
By avoiding foods that can cause potential harm to your dentures, you can protect yourself from these high costs and long waits while they prepare a replacement for you. If you want to save yourself from these unexpected costs, it is best to be mindful when eating while wearing dentures.
Foods to Avoid While Wearing Dentures
There are many foods that aren’t too tough for your dentures, making them safe to consume while wearing them. However, there are many foods you should avoid if you want to prevent damage while wearing dentures. These foods include:
1. Hard Foods
Crunchy, harder foods like raw vegetables and nuts are incredibly beneficial for your oral health. However, once you begin wearing dentures, they can be far too aggressive for these fragile materials. When eating these foods, you may find that your dentures crack or chip, which can lead to costly replacements. If you enjoy these foods but want to keep your dentures safe, it is best to transition to drinking smoothies or steaming your vegetables instead.
2. Sticky Foods
If you’ve worn braces before, you know how bad sticky foods and candies can be for your teeth. Just as these foods can get stuck to your natural teeth, they can also get stuck to your dentures. When it becomes stuck, attempting to remove it can dislodge your dentures. This dislodging can be uncomfortable and may end in a trip to the dentist. While sticky foods might be a favorite of yours, it is best to avoid them if you want to protect your dentures.
3. Tough Meats
While you may have enjoyed eating a steak prior to wearing dentures, you may have to avoid this once you make the transition. The constant chewing necessary to eat a steak and other tough meats can put a lot of stress on the materials used to make your dentures and the underlying gums. This may lead to the development of sore spots, making it uncomfortable to wear your dentures. If you want to avoid these sore spots, it’s best to limit your consumption.
4. Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob during a summer barbeque can be a refreshing treat. However, the fibers from the corn cob may become stuck between your teeth and gums. Over time, this can lead to significant irritation. While you might want to eat corn on the cob, it is best to cook corn kernels instead to protect yourself from them getting stuck and irritating your gums.
5. Acid Foods
Many foods you consume every day can be incredibly acidic. From tomatoes to citrus fruits, these acids can eat away at the adhesive used to keep your dentures in place. Loose dentures can be uncomfortable to wear and may make it difficult or impossible to eat. If you want to avoid your dentures becoming loose or falling out, it is best to limit your consumption of acidic foods while wearing dentures.
6. Wine and Coffee
Just like with your natural teeth, drinking wine and coffee while wearing dentures can lead to staining of the materials. However, unlike your natural teeth, whitening your dentures after exposure to these staining substances can be incredibly difficult, if not impossible. While you may enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine over dinner, it is best to avoid these when possible, and to brush soon after consumption to ensure your dentures are safe from frustrating stains.
Protect Your Dentures with Jenson Dental
If you are about to embark on the denture journey or you’ve had dentures for years and you’re looking for a new dentist, turn to our team at Jenson Dental. With years of experience helping people find and maintain the proper dental prosthetic for their lifestyle, we’re confident that we can do the same for you. Whether you need dentures, a cleaning, crowns, or any other dental service, our team is here to help. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team to begin your journey toward a healthier smile, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
