Quick Answer
Most dentists recommend waiting 3-6 months after getting dentures before trying to eat a steak. During this time, the gums need to heal completely and the dentures need time to settle so you can get used to chewing and biting with them. However, everyone heals at different rates, so it’s important to talk to your dentist about when it is safe for you personally to try harder foods.
What foods can you eat with new dentures?
For the first 24 hours after getting immediate dentures, it is best to stick to a liquid diet of things like smoothies, milkshakes, broths, and nutritional supplement drinks. After 24 hours, you can progress to soft, mushy foods like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, yogurt, soft cooked vegetables, and overcooked pasta. Hard, crunchy, chewy, and sticky foods should be avoided.
Week 1
During the first week with new dentures, continue eating primarily soft foods. Things like eggs, cottage cheese, canned fruits like peaches or pears, soft cooked fish, beans, and well-cooked vegetables are good options. Avoid very hot or very cold foods since your gums may still be numb and sensitive.
Weeks 2-4
Over the next few weeks, you can start adding in more solid foods with soft textures. Examples include pasta, nuggets, meatloaf, casseroles, bananas, canned tuna or salmon, and soft breads. Avoid very hard, crunchy, or chewy foods that could dislodge the dentures.
Weeks 4-8
In the second month with dentures, you can continue expanding your diet. Try foods like pizza, fish with bones removed, cooked chicken or turkey, canned pineapple, soft raw veggies like lettuce and tomatoes, and soft processed cheese. Gradually reintroducing more textures helps your mouth get used to chewing motions again.
When can you start eating steak with new dentures?
Most dentists recommend waiting at least 3 months (12 weeks) before attempting to eat steak or other tough, chewy foods. By this time, your gums and jawbone should be healed enough that you can chew more confidently without dislodging or damaging the dentures. Some tips for when you start eating steak again:
- Start with filet mignon or other tender cuts of steak that are easier to chew.
- Cut steak into very small pieces and chew thoroughly with your side teeth.
- Take your time – don’t try to rush through eating it.
- Use denture adhesive to keep your dentures firmly in place.
Keep in mind that every person adjusts to dentures differently depending on factors like age, overall health, quality of bone and gums, and type of dentures. It may take some people up to 6 months before they feel comfortable biting into steak. Have your dentist evaluate you and make recommendations about when it is safe to try harder foods.
Tips for eating with new dentures
As you transition to eating more foods with your new dentures, keep these general tips in mind:
Cut food into small pieces
Cutting food into bite-sized portions helps prevent you from biting off more than you can chew comfortably. This may mean cutting meat, fruits, vegetables, and even bread/pancakes into pieces before eating them.
Chew slowly using both sides
Take your time eating and chew thoroughly, spreading the chewing motions evenly on both sides of your mouth. This enhances stability of the dentures during chewing.
Moisten dry foods
If foods are too dry, crispy, or crumbly, try dipping them in milk, broth, sauce, or gravy to soften the texture first. Or drink water with meals.
Avoid sticky, sugary foods
Foods like caramel, gum, or taffy can stick to dentures and be hard to clean off. Sticky foods are best avoided, especially as you are getting used to wearing dentures.
Don’t try to bite into foods
Rather than biting directly into fruits, vegetables, or other foods, cut them up first then lift the pieces to your mouth. This avoids putting too much pressure on the dentures, which can dislodge them.
Advance diet slowly
It’s better to gradually introduce new textures over several weeks/months than to rush back into eating everything. Go slow until chewing becomes comfortable and automatic again.
Remove dentures for resting periods
Take dentures out for several hours per day or overnight to give your gums a break and help them heal. The tissues need time without pressure on them to recover.
Denture care tips
Proper denture care and maintenance will help ensure you can eat well with them. Follow these denture care best practices:
Rinse after eating
Rinse your dentures after eating to remove any remaining food debris that could lead to staining or bacterial overgrowth. Brush your gums after taking dentures out too.
Avoid harsh cleansers
Clean dentures daily using a soft brush and non-abrasive denture cleanser, not toothpaste. Avoid strong chemicals like bleach that can damage the shape and surface.
Soak dentures overnight
Soak dentures overnight in water or a dedicated soaking solution to help remove stains and bacteria. This helps optimize the fit each morning too.
Handle carefully
Be very careful inserting and removing dentures to avoid cracking or chipping them. Never force them in or out if they feel stuck.
See your dentist regularly
Schedule regular denture adjustment appointments as your gums change shape. Well-fitting dentures are essential for comfortable chewing.
Use denture adhesives
Temporary adhesives can help keep dentures secure for eating if they become loose. But always have loose dentures adjusted for a better permanent fix.
Foods to avoid with new dentures
As a general guideline, avoid the following types of foods at least for the first 3-6 months with new dentures:
- Tough, chewy meats like steak
- Crunchy raw vegetables and fruits
- Hard breads and rolls
- Crunchy snacks like chips, nuts, seeds, popcorn
- Sticky, gummy candies
- Hard or crunchy cereal
- Crusty bread
- Pizza crust
- Corn on the cob
- Hard taco shells
- Raw apples, carrots
Focus on soft, smooth foods and liquid or pureed meals initially. Very hard, crunchy, chewy, sticky, and crusty foods tend to give new denture wearers trouble. As you get used to your dentures and heal, you can slowly add more textures. But go slowly and let your mouth adjust.
Food preparation tips for denture wearers
These food preparation tips can make meals easier to eat with dentures:
Cook vegetables thoroughly
Cook fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, or broccoli until very soft or puree them. Avoid raw, crunchy vegetables.
Cut meat into small pieces
Cut meat into dime-sized pieces to make it easier to chew. You can also grind or puree meats.
Shred cheese
Shred or grate hard cheeses to make them easier to chew. Soft melted cheeses are also better than firm blocks.
Moisten bread
Dip bread in milk, broth, sauce, or olive oil to soften it or remove the crusts. Also cut it into small pieces.
Cook fruits
Cook fresh fruits like apples or pears or choose canned versions. Avoid raw, crunchy fruits.
Puree vegetables
Puree or mash vegetables like potatoes, carrots, spinach, yams, or squash. Add broth or milk for smoothness.
Choose softer grains
Opt for instant oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat, or soft rice over crunchy cereals.
Chop nuts
Finely chop, grind, or puree nuts instead of eating them whole or in chunks.
Hydrate dry foods
Moisten crackers, cookies, toast, poultry, meat, and bread with broth, sauce, gravy, or milk.
Conclusion
Getting used to eating with new dentures takes time and patience. Stick to soft foods and liquids for the first 3-6 months, then slowly work your way up to harder items like steak. Prepare food by cutting into small pieces, cooking thoroughly, shredding, pureeing, and moistening to make chewing easier. Maintain dentures properly and use adhesives if needed to stabilize them. With practice and healing, eating a healthy, diverse diet with dentures gets easier. Discuss any specific diet concerns with your dentist.
