Dentures in Modesto are great for restoring your smile and your self-confidence, but they do take some getting used to, and may require you to make some adjustments to your diet.
There are a few foods, in particular, that you may want to avoid to stay comfortable and avoid difficulties while eating with your new dentures. In this blog from Downey Park Family Dental, we’ll discuss a few of our top recommendations of foods to avoid for new denture wearers.
For new wearers in particular, there are a few things you can't eat with dentures. First, you should avoid sticky and gummy foods like gummy candies, caramel, taffy, and other such sticky and gummy foods. They can pull on your dentures and dislodge them, and the sugary food itself can get stuck underneath your dentures and irritate the underlying gums. Limit your consumption of these foods with dentures, and make sure to clean your mouth thoroughly after eating them to keep your mouth healthy.
Some types of foods have small bits and pieces that are hard to chew with your dentures, and can get stuck between your dentures and gums, causing irritation. This includes things like sesame seeds on rolls or bagels, popcorn shards and kernels, and some types of shelled nuts and seeds.
Hard and crunchy foods are not always the best option when eating with dentures. Bagels, for example, are hard to bite into with dentures, as are solid and fibrous fruits and vegetables like carrots, apples, and corn on the cob.
That’s not to say you can’t eat these foods at all, but you may want to consider cutting them into smaller, bite-sized chunks. These are easier to chew, and allow you to grind the food up more easily.
While you can eat some types of tough meats with dentures, eating them regularly takes a lot of chewing and pressure, which can irritate your gums and even cause sores to develop. We recommend eating these meats sparingly as an occasional treat.
A good example of this would be pork chops, steak, tuna steaks, ribs, and other fibrous, tough meat that is hard to chew. When you do eat these meats, cut the food into smaller chunks that are easier to chew. This reduces the overall strain on your mouth.
Good alternatives to these meats include flaky fish like most white fish and salmon, chicken thighs and breasts. You can also braise or slow-cook most meats until they’re tender enough to fall off your fork, and are much easier to chew.
For the most part, you can maintain the same diet after you get used to your dentures, but consider cutting back and limiting the above foods to maintain your comfort. And if you need a new set of dentures, or you're considering dentures for the first time in Modesto, Dr. Corey Acree is here to help.
To get started and see if dentures are right for you, just contact us online or give us a call at (209) 529-0674. Dr. Acree can discuss all of your options for restoring your smile in Modesto, including dental implants, and help you make the right choice. Ask about our in-office membership plan to see how you can save on your dental treatments!