Tips for Eating with Dentures for the First Time

Whether they’re partial dentures or full, moulded in plastic or metal, dentures will feel awkward when you wear them for the first time. Because of this, eating becomes a tricky to navigate task, but it doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to approach eating the same again. It just takes some time to adjust, much like any change throughout life. At Pearl Denture Studio, we’re committed to ensuring you feel confident and comfortable in your smile once again, and that’s exactly what we aim for with this blog! We’ve compiled a list of ways to approach eating with dentures for the first time and, with our help, eating your favourite foods can become effortless and comfortable yet again.

Ready to start wearing dentures? Book an appointment with the team at Pearl Denture Studio today or, if you’re still feeling unsure on how to eat with new dentures, don’t hesitate to contact us. Your denture clinic Northern Rivers area is here to support you.

Tips for eating with dentures for the first time

Be Mindful of Hot Temperatures

When you start eating with dentures, you may opt to drinking soups, protein shakes or other foods in the form of liquid as it makes consuming meals far easier and less to think about. As much as it brings convenience, it’s imperative to keep in mind that hot liquids can have a negative impact on your new dentures (or any dentures). There’s nothing quite like a hot bowl of soup on a cold day, or even warm desserts that make your heart sing, whilst you can consume such things, you need to take into consideration the impact it may have on your denture adhesive. When you hold hot liquids in your mouth, it can cause the adhesive to loosen, which can lead to your dentures shifting in your mouth and becoming uncomfortable. This is not to say you have to consume cold food or liquids, but to take into consideration just how hot these things may be.   

Soft Foods, Small Bites

When it comes time to transition from liquid foods to softer foods, it’s recommended you remain conscious of the way you chew. Small bites of things like cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, tuna, scrambled eggs and so on is going to put less strain on your dentures and prevent them from dislodging. Whatever you do, do not jump into eating chewy foods like large cuts of meat. As you begin eating with dentures more comfortably, you may gradually increase the type of food you are eating and practicing taking larger bites, however; it doesn’t hurt to chew small in the beginning and, most importantly, chew slowly. Not only does that benefit your dentures, but also your digestion!

Denture Care

Proper care for your dentures is an absolute must to ensure their longevity. You can achieve this by brushing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush each day after meals to keep them clean and bacteria-free. This not only prevents bad breath, but also painful inflammation, and other oral health problems. Regularly rinsing your dentures in warm water also helps keep them in top condition, as well as transferring them to a safe storage container when not in use (usually when you’re going to sleep or in the comfort of your own home). Taking proper care of your dentures will go a long way towards their longevity, durability, and overall hygiene levels.

Be Careful With Chewy Food

Cravings for sweet treats are always hard to resist, and sticky-date pudding and peanut butter and jam sandwiches certainly hit the spot. If you’re asking, “how to eat with new dentures”, especially when it comes to your favourite snacks, it’s important to remember that these delicious treats can become troublesome if they get stuck between your dentures and gums. Take the time to chew slowly and carefully to ensure your gums don’t become irritated or develop any sores – and it may be time to find a new favourite treat to ensure your dentures don’t become dislodged, warped, or damaged.

Chew Food Evenly

Subconsciously we all chew food on a more dominant side of our mouths but for those who wear dentures, it’s imperative you chew your food evenly, enough that is develops into a healthy habit and your dentures sit comfortably. When you’re eating with dentures for the first time and you’re easing into introducing solid foods, be sure to take note of how much you are chewing on each side and try your best to maintain an even ratio – it’s frustrating, but it’s going to be so worth it for the sake of your dentures comfortability. Taking the extra time to ensure you’re distributing your bites evenly is key to achieving a secure fit and lasting dentures.