Getting dentures is a big adjustment. Many people wonder if they’ll be able to eat normally with dentures. The good news is that with some practice, you can eat most of your favorite foods with dentures.
What are dentures?
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. There are two main types of dentures:
- Complete dentures replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw.
- Partial dentures fill in gaps where some natural teeth remain.
Dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth and are held in place by your gums and facial muscles. With today’s advanced dentistry techniques, dentures can be made to look very natural.
Adapting to eating with dentures
Learning to eat with dentures takes some practice. Here are some tips that can help:
- Start with soft, easy to chew foods like yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes or oatmeal.
- Cut food into small pieces to make it easier to chew.
- Eat slowly and chew deliberately with both sides of your mouth.
- Place food between your cheek and gums while chewing to stabilize your dentures.
- Avoid sticky, hard or crunchy foods until you get used to your dentures.
It may take several weeks to get fully comfortable eating with dentures. Be patient with yourself as you re-learn how to bite, chew and swallow. Over time, your mouth will adjust and eating will become easier.
Foods you can eat with dentures
With practice, you’ll be able to eat most of your regular foods with dentures. Some examples include:
- Tender meats: chicken, fish, ground meat, eggs
- Cooked vegetables: carrots, peas, broccoli, potatoes
- Canned and soft fruits: bananas, applesauce, oranges, berries
- Breads: rolls, muffins, pasta
- Dairy products: milk, cheese, yogurt, pudding
- Grains: oatmeal, grits, rice, couscous
Avoid very hard, crunchy or chewy foods at first. As your mouth adjusts, you can slowly add back firmer fruits and veggies, nuts, meat with more texture, popcorn and other snacks.
7 tips for comfortable eating with dentures
Follow these tips to make eating easier while you transition to dentures:
- Moisten dry foods like crackers, bread and meat with sauce, broth or milk.
- Cut food into small pieces to make chewing easier.
- Avoid empty mouth syndrome – keep some food on both sides of your mouth when chewing.
- Eat slowly and take small bites.
- Use denture adhesives to help stabilize your dentures, if needed.
- Rinse your mouth after eating to remove any loose food particles.
- Brush dentures daily and soak in cleaning solution to keep them fresh.
Foods to avoid with new dentures
As you transition to dentures, avoid very hard, sticky or crunchy foods. These can be challenging for new dentures. Foods to avoid include:
- Nuts and seeds
- Hard or crispy raw vegetables like carrots, celery and corn on the cob
- Tough meats with gristle
- Crusty breads
- Popcorn and chips
- Chewy candies like caramels, licorice or gum
- Fruits like raw apples, pears or pineapple
You can slowly reintroduce many of these foods as your mouth adjusts to the dentures over several weeks. But take it slowly at first.
Denture-friendly recipes
Here are some meal ideas that are easy to eat with new dentures:
Breakfast
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurt with soft fruits
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Pancakes or waffles
Lunch
- Soup or stew
- Tuna or egg salad
- Macaroni and cheese
- Mashed potatoes
Dinner
- Pasta with sauce
- Meatloaf or meatballs
- Fish fillets
- Chicken casserole
- Chili
Snacks
- Applesauce or canned fruits
- Pudding
- Cottage cheese
- Smoothies
When to call your dentist
It’s normal to have some discomfort and difficulty eating when you first get dentures. But call your dentist if:
- You have ongoing pain or soreness
- Your dentures become loose
- You have blisters, cuts or sores on your gums
- You have difficulty chewing most foods even after an adjustment period
Your dentist can adjust the fit of your dentures or provide other solutions to make eating easier.
Conclusion
Yes, you can eat normally with dentures! It may take some practice to get used to chewing and swallowing with dentures. Start with soft foods, take small bites, and avoid sticky, hard foods at first. Over time, your mouth will adjust and you’ll be able to enjoy a wide variety of healthy foods. Be patient with yourself during the transition. With the right tips and recipes, eating with dentures can become comfortable and enjoyable.
