Life with dentures comes with a few adjustments. While your prosthesis will allow you to enjoy many different foods, you still need to be mindful about what you’re eating. Certain foods could end up causing serious problems with your dentures if you’re not careful. Below are 4 examples of foods that denture-wearers should stay away from if they want to keep their replacement teeth safe.
1. Popcorn
Have you ever had a popcorn kernel stuck between your teeth? Denture wearers can sometimes suffer from a similar problem. A kernel may become lodged underneath the prosthesis, which can be very uncomfortable and may significantly irritate your gums. As such, it’s best to skip the popcorn and look for snacks that won’t cause problems for your dentures; berries and olives can be very healthy options.
2. Nuts
In order to make sure your dentures stay in place, you need to chew with both sides of your mouth. However, with nuts, this often isn’t possible, as they are typically chewed on just one side. Since hard snacks like nuts tend to require a lot of biting force, chewing on them unevenly can result in significant damage to your dentures.
3. Sticky Candy
Being told to limit your intake of sugary treats for the sake of your smile is probably nothing new. However, if you have dentures, then it’s highly recommended that you completely stay away from particularly sticky candies such as caramel. Trying to get these treats out of your teeth can be tricky enough, but removing them from dentures is even more difficult. Luckily, there are plenty of softer snacks that can satisfy your craving for sweets, like ice cream or cupcakes.
4. Steak That Hasn’t Been Cut Into Small Enough Pieces
Steak is high on the list of foods known to cause problems for denture-wearers. Many steaks tend to require quite a lot of chewing. However, dentures don’t offer the same bite force and stability as natural teeth. As such, trying to chew a particularly tough steak with dentures can result in sore gums, and in the worst-case scenario, the artificial teeth may even become dislodged. However, you don’t need to remove steak from your diet entirely as long as you cut it into very small, easier-to-manage pieces first.
It’s important to plan your diet carefully so that you can avoid problems with your dentures. If you talk to your dentist, they’ll be able to give you more examples of foods to stay away from as well as denture-friendly alternatives that you can enjoy instead.
About the Author
Dr. Dan Greenwood went to the Ohio State University for his dental degree. He has been operating his current practice, Greenwood Dental, since 1998. Throughout his career, he has helped many patients in Sagamore Hills improve their smiles. If you are missing multiple teeth, he may suggest dentures to re-complete your grin. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenwood, visit his website or call (330) 467-2522.