In most cases, new denture wearers have difficulty eating salads because lettuce doesn't tear well with replacement teeth.
Salads and green leafy vegetables in general are hard to chew with dentures. So you may have to opt for cooked vegetables, for example, instead of salads. Cut food into very small pieces, which will make it easier to chew.
Raw Vegetables
Avoid eating raw vegetables such as carrots and celery because the fibers can become tangled in your teeth, creating denture discomfort. Instead, opt for steaming or sautéing your veggies so they're softer to eat and easier on your teeth.
When can I eat solid foods after getting dentures? It usually takes 3-4 weeks before you can master eating solid foods again. Once you return to solid foods, cut them into smaller than normal, bite-sized pieces in order to make chewing more comfortable and manageable.
Cut the food into smaller pieces, hold it against the upper front teeth or lower front teeth, whichever is more comfortable, slowly bring the teeth together through the food and then tear the remaining section. If sandwiches continue to be a problem, cut them into bite sized pieces.
Eating with dentures
When you first start wearing dentures, you should eat soft foods cut into small pieces and chew slowly, using both sides of your mouth. Avoid chewing gum and any food that's sticky, hard or has sharp edges. You can gradually start to eat other types of food until you're back to your old diet.
With permanent dentures, patients can eat, chew, bite, talk and smile – without the fear that their prosthetic teeth may slip and slide when they do these daily activities.
Check with your dentist to make sure your dentures fit properly – Sometimes, dentures need adjustments to create a more natural fit. If you find yourself having trouble chewing and eating even after the initial adjustment period, you should always check in with your dentist.
Once you are fully adjusted to wearing dentures, you should be able to eat almost anything. However, there may be some foods that will always be difficult to eat, such as food that is hard, sticky, or tough. Even with a strong mouth and well-fitting dentures, there are some foods you may wish to banish from your diet.
Generally you should wear your dentures for at least 8 hours a day. This will give your gums and jawbone time to get used to the dentures and prevent sore spots from developing. It is best to take them out at night so that your gums can rest. You should also remove them for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
It's a legitimate concern and there is definitely an adjustment period where talking, chewing and normal activities will feel different. Once you've learned to adjust, you should be able to communicate normally. It usually takes about 2 weeks for your tongue to get use to the new environment.
Steak – Steak can be difficult to chew even for people with all their natural teeth. Biting down on chewy steak with dentures can destabilize them or cause sore spots. You don't have to avoid steak entirely – just cut it up into small pieces.
Spread the food evenly in your mouth while you chew, this will help to stabilize the dentures while you are chewing. Eat bread and other cereals with liquids, as they have the tendency to stick to your teeth. You may want to avoid eating very hard or sticky foods, even with the use of denture adhesive.
In most cases, you won't be able to tell that someone is wearing dentures if you have well-fitting dentures that are professionally made, are regularly cleaned, and fit well.
In addition to taste buds getting weaker with age, wearing dentures can result in some flavor loss due to: The upper denture covering your upper-hard palate, which contains the taste buds. Food debris becoming stuck in your dentures and leaving an unpleasant taste.
Hard foods: Chewing hard foods require your jaw and dentures to apply uneven pressure. This can dislodge or damage your dentures, so avoid nuts, popcorn, apples, raw carrot sticks and corn on the cob. Tough meats: Foods that require a lot of chewing place unnecessary stress on your dentures and gums.
Salty Snacks
If you find yourself craving something salty, remember that hard, sharp, or jagged pieces don't play nicely with dentures and can be uncomfortable if lodged in your mouth. Rather than reaching for chips or popcorn, lighter foods like crackers or vegetable sticks with dip are a better alternative.
When you continue to chew your food without teeth or dentures, your gums and jaw will start to become irritated from having to work harder to chew food. Even softer foods that did not seem to give you any problems to chew will also start to irritate your gums and jaw. This can lead to infected gums and TMJ.
Always follow label instructions. Super Poligrip® adhesives help hold dentures for up to 12 hours. If you find your dentures loosening, talk to your dentist.
Removable partial or full dentures require proper care to keep them clean, free from stains and looking their best. For good denture care: Remove and rinse dentures after eating.
You can use proprietary denture cleaning tablets or solutions ( eg. Steradent) to help loosen and remove stains and deposits. However, you should avoid leaving the dentures in the solution overnight. A 10-minute soak once or twice a week should be sufficient.