Eating with dentures does not have to be a challenge. Although it is natural to experience some level of discomfort during the initial adjustment phase, this does not have to be prolonged. And while no two patients are the same, dentists provide denture-wearers with the necessary tools to adapt and begin enjoying their new teeth. This article contains various tips that can be used to make eating much easier when living with dentures.
New Dentures Take Time
Once dentures are fabricated and fitted into a patient’s mouth, it does take some time to get used to them. Depending on the amount of time between tooth loss and replacement, the mouth and its components may become used to being without teeth.
The cheeks, gums, and tongue must learn to maneuver appropriately, allowing the individual to speak clearly and eat without causing the denture to slip or fall out. In a matter of weeks, the dentures should feel much more natural.
Tips to Making Eating Less Cumbersome
Accidental slippage or having a denture fall out during dinner are two of the most fearsome situations a person can imagine. To keep these instances from happening, dentists offer patients helpful tips to make eating with these prosthetics possible and more enjoyable.
A few suggestions include:
- Eating soft foods in the beginning to allow the mouth to adjust to the newness of the denture without the added pressure of denser foods.
- Cutting up foods into smaller pieces to allow the patient to chew more easily.
- Learning to chew with both sides of the mouth to ensure the denture remains firmly in place. Otherwise, it might pop up on one side and become unbalanced, resulting in slippage.
- When gradually advancing to more solid foods, patients should use their canine teeth to bite instead of those located in the front of the mouth, as this might cause the denture to dislodge.
- Be careful when eating sticky and harder foods because they can damage dentures in Franklin Park and also cause them to move out of place. This can be embarrassing should it happen in front of others.
- Avoiding smaller foods like nuts to keep potential food particles from entering beneath the prosthetic and causing irritation.
Eating can once again be an enjoyable experience for those with dentures, but it can take time to adjust. By following the recommended tips and suggestions, you’ll soon start looking forward to mealtime again.
About Grand Dental – Franklin Park
At Grand Dental – Franklin Park, our dental team believes in the importance of healthy smiles. By providing high-quality tooth replacements, we can generate full, complete, and functional teeth that allow for improved speaking, eating, and smiling. Our periodontal specialist can help all patients feel more confident in their new teeth. Contact us today by visiting our website or calling (847) 860-7093 to learn how we can help.