In recent years dentistry has made many leaps and bounds in creating false teeth that are comfortable and strong enough to feel natural.
Whether you have partial dentures, cosmetic dentures or dental implants, we ensure all our customers leave with a smile and go on to living happier and healthier lives; including the one thing we all love to do: Eat.
Tasting
It’s normal to experience minor irritation or discomfort with new dentures, and one of the most common remarks is a loss of taste.
Even though your taste buds are in perfect working order, your new dentures will often feel as if they’re blocking your senses. As a strange foreign object inside the mouth, the brain will automatically focus on this; especially because food can no longer move against your palate.
Once you become use to your dentures, this feeling will eventually disappear and you will be able to regain your sense of taste – sweet, sour, and salty alike.
Saliva
At first, you might notice an excessive amount of saliva being produced, known as hyper salvation, but it is a perfectly normal reaction with your new dentures.
This can be hard and unpleasant to deal with; especially within social situations. In order to encourage your body to accept new dentures, keep wearing them, and sucking on soft mints if required will help you swallow more naturally.
If your mouth begins to feel dry, sore, or loose from your dentures, it’s always best to see a dental professional as soon as possible.
Chewing
Take it slow – that’s our best advice when you begin eating with new dentures.
Chewing patterns can change, and you shouldn’t feel discouraged to enjoy eating as a result. As long as your patient and practice constantly, you’ll be mastering your new dentures in no time!
Cut food into smaller bite-sized pieces, and by eating on both sides of the mouth your muscles will benefit from the lack of strain or pressure in the beginning as they adapt.
Also, use your back teeth first, then gradually build towards using the front as your level of skill increases, allowing you to tackle harder and tougher foods later.
Food
There are a few key factors to consider when choosing the right food for your comfort and enjoyment, such as whether it is too hot, too cold, spicy, or seeded.
However, which foods to avoid and which to indulge in is the real question. So, here’s a list of examples to help keep you on track:
DON’T:
- Eat hard foods like nuts, apples, tough red meat, sticky desserts, and hard-boiled sweets that may lead to damage or loosen dentures
- Drink coffee, tea, or certain alcoholic beverages like red wine as this can cause staining
DO:
- Eat softer foods like soup, yoghurt, eggs, fish, pasta, mashed veg, and as an extra treat – cake!
- Ground meats and protein spreads from casseroles to hummus that work within many recipes
So, if you need advice on eating with dentures, or experiencing issues with after-care treatment, speak to one of our dental experts or visit our website to see what Smiles & More can offer you.