There is no reason to forgo the foods you love because you have a denture. A well-fitting denture can cope with a wide range of foods, whether served in the usual way or modified a little to allow you to still enjoy eating with dentures. In this article we list some of the foods many denture wearers unnecessarily steer clear of. We also provide alternative preparation ideas for the foods traditionally avoided by people with dentures. But firstly, we ask you to ponder where you are in your denture journey – are you a new novice denture wearer? Or perhaps you have worn the same denture comfortably for years and are now trying to adjust to a new one. Together with your mindset, both these situations make a difference to the foods you eat.
Table of contents
To begin, let’s talk about the importance of a well-fitting denture. With the benefit of today’s modern technology and the advanced skills in prosthetics, there is no reason why you shouldn’t have a well-fitting denture. One that allows you to enjoy the foods you like. That said, if you have a new denture after the old one was broken or worn out or have just had teeth extracted and are adjusting to wearing a denture, it’s not uncommon for there to be a settling-in period. This adjustment phase may be seen as having two arms – the first is the physical adjustments you must allow for as your gums and oral tissues heal, and the second is a psychological one, often a little more challenging.
Where are you on your denture journey?
Physical adjustments: Getting used to eating with dentures
Perhaps you’ve recently had teeth extracted and an immediate denture fitted. Your mouth and gum tissues are swollen and tender as your mouth heals. Initially the immediate denture may feel like a foreign intrusion, but as your mouth heals and tissues and gums recede, your denture will become loose and may irritate your healed gums. During this phase, eating can be a challenge. Equally, you may be a long-time denture wearer who is adjusting to wearing a new denture after the comfortable old denture you had for years has worn out. In both these cases, you can expect the discomfort to be temporary.
Psychological adjustments: Building confidence with centures
Adjusting your mindset to wearing a denture can be a little trickier depending on your individual situation, your patience and pain threshold, and ability to persist. Remember to:
- take it slow and be patient with yourself
- expect to take baby steps knowing there are rewards for persisting
- follow your oral health providers’ advice.
Some people make a smooth transition from natural teeth or a comfortable ‘old friend’ of a denture to wearing a new one. For others, whether it be for clinical reasons or psychological ones, the road may be a little more challenging.
Whatever the case, it’s important to remember your prosthetist is as invested in your success as you are. Don’t wait until an irritated gum becomes an inflamed sore spot. A small adjustment may be all that’s needed to rectify the problem.
For a variety of reasons, some people need more denture adjustments than others. Ask your prosthetist about relines. A new lining on the inside of your denture may be just the thing to achieve a better fit and banish sore spots. Denture adhesives are also a good temporary fix if you need extra security until you have a well-fitting denture. Working with your prosthetist to get the denture you deserve is the road to gastronomic bliss.
Gastronomic bliss
Isn’t it always the case the moment you’re prohibited from having something is the moment your craving ramps up? What if all it took to allow you to eat what you crave was a small modification to the way you served that food? And remember, you won’t remain on the same stage of your denture journey for long, but will advance as you heal, become accustomed to your dentures and more adept at trying different ways to prepare the foods you love. So, keep your eye firmly on the destination. A list of typically favourite foods denture wearers think they must forgo follows.
1. Steak and other meats
Steak can be challenging because of the chewing required. Devotees worry vigorous chewing may dislodge their dentures or cause painful pressure on their gums. A solution lies in selecting tender cuts like rib-eye or filet mignon and grill to medium and well done. Tenderise less tender cuts before grilling or have your butcher do it for you. Using less expensive cuts in casseroles or slow cookers makes them easier to chew. Cut meat into smaller morsels that require less chewing. And take it slowly. Fish can be a tasty protein alternative and easier to chew.
2. Raw apples
Who doesn’t love the crunch of a fresh apple and the rush of juice over the taste buds when you bite into it? Think those days are gone now you have dentures? Not so. While you may not be able to bite into a whole apple, cutting into slices and smaller pieces works well for a full denture. Some partial dentures secured to natural teeth with clasps, allow you to take a bite out of a whole apple without dislodging the denture. Cooking apples to soften them or grating raw apples ensures you don’t have to miss out.
3. Raw vegetables and textured fruit
The secret to enjoying raw vegetables as a denture wearer is grating, shredding or cutting them into more manageable pieces. Steaming until just firm but not hard, also works well. Roasting softens vegetables and brings out their wonderful flavour. Make sure fruit is fully ripe before eating.
4. Green vegetables
Green vegetables like Asian greens, spinach or kale can be lightly steamed and added to smoothies. Or try steaming then pureeing or chopping them finely, perfect for pasta sauces. This method makes them less likely to tangle in your denture.
5. Nuts
Nuts are traditionally avoided by denture wearers because they have an annoying tendency to lodge beneath the denture. Ground nuts like almond meal provide all the benefits of whole nuts but are easy to eat and perfect to cook with, providing a healthy alternative to wheat flour. Nut butters and pastes offer the flavour without the irritation of whole nuts. However, avoid thick nut pastes like peanut butter as they can gum up your denture. Alternatively peanut butter can be thinned with peanut oil to make it more palatable. If you haven’t tried cashew butter yet you don’t know what you’re missing.
6. Breads
Crusty breads can be a challenge. Softer breads and dinner rolls are easy to manage but even some textured breads can be managed if torn into bite size pieces and chewed slowly.
7. Sweet corn
While eating cooked sweet corn on the cob may still be possible for some partial denture wearers, it proves a bridge too far for those with full dentures. The force required to bite the kernels from the cob and the angle required make this unworthwhile. The kernels are notorious for getting beneath the upper denture especially, aggravating the palate. Better to cook first then cut the kernels from the cob and enjoy them in casseroles, salads, patties or a sauce.
8. Popcorn
Popcorn suffers the same notoriety among denture wearers as corn on the cob. Look for varieties of hull-less popcorn or other puffed snacks with a popcorn flavour to avoid irritation between the denture and your palate.
9. Seeded berries and sesame seeds
Blackberries and the like can pose a similar problem as popcorn, with tiny seeds lodging between your gums and denture. The same is true for poppy and sesame seeds and some grains like quinoa. Once cooked, seeds soften somewhat but better to find them in other forms to avoid the problem. Tahini paste is a good flavour substitute for sesame seeds, while preserves, desserts or smoothies, can mitigate the pesky berry seed irritation. Substitute with other berries like blueberries, whose tiny seeds pose no issue.
10. Hard lolly and toffee substitutes
If hard lollies and toffees can’t be totally avoided (let’s face it they are not healthy), then you may have to resort to sucking rather than chewing. On the upside, the flavour will last longer, and they won’t glue up your denture. Chocolate without nuts, especially dark and the better-quality kind, is a great alternative for sweet tooths. Cheaper chocolate can be cloggy in the mouth.
Tips for eating comfortably with dentures: Techniques that work
- Begin with soft foods and gradually work up to harder foods.
- There is no rush, the slower the better. Taking small bites and chewing slowly will help you adjust to the denture in your mouth and avoid accidentally biting your cheeks.
- Avoid using your front teeth for biting.
- Give each side of your denture equal chewing time by alternating between both sides of your mouth.
- Sipping water between mouthfuls can help wash tiny food particles down. This will slow eating down and help avoid bolting your food.
- Be sure to clean or rinse your denture and mouth after eating to remove any trapped food particles which might cause irritation.
- Eating a wide variety of foods ensures you get your proper nutrition.
A final word on enjoying your favourite foods with dentures
My goodness! If you weren’t hungry before you read this article you most certainly will be now. It’s encouraging to know with just a little bit of thought and preparation, you can enjoy the foods you love. Remember, patience and perseverance are key. Understanding that you are not alone in adjusting to new ways of eating with your denture, with almost everything being on the table (pun intended), you may now plan your next menu with confidence and delight.
Disclaimer – Always consult your oral health professional for expert advice about your unique personal situation. The information given here is of a general nature and for the purpose of education only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your oral health specialist
Northern Rivers Denture Clinic is located in the heart of Tweed Heads, southern Gold Coast. Finally have the smile you deserve with handcrafted, quality dentures.
