Getting dentures requires some adaptation. They are not exactly like your natural teeth, so you have to learn to eat a little differently, which may mean avoiding certain foods. Here are some of the foods that you might want to avoid and substitutes that be better for you.
Of course, the fit and function of your dentures makes a difference, too, so people with FOY® Dentures may have better bite force, which makes it easier to eat some of these foods than people wearing traditional dentures.
Bad: Peanut and Other Nut Butters
Nut butters are sticky. When you’re eating them, they can dislodge your dentures, and then they can be very hard to clean off.
Better Options: Protein-Rich Spreads
The good news is that there are many options that you can enjoy instead on your sandwiches or crackers. Hummus is great if you want a vegan option, but tuna salad, egg salad, and chicken salad all give good nutrition and are easier on your dentures. Cream cheese is another great option, especially for breakfast.
Bad: Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
It can be hard for denture wearers to bite into crunchy fruits and vegetables like corn on the cob, apples, or carrots. Chewing them is also hard on denture wearers.
Better Options: Ripe Fruits, Cooked Vegetables, and Smoothies
One good thing to do is select fruits and vegetables that are soft when ripe, such as peaches, mangos, bananas, and tomatoes. You can also cook vegetables to make them soft. Finally, a fruit or vegetable smoothie is a great way to get a lot of fruits and vegetables in a denture-friendly way.
Bad: Steak, Pork Chops
Steak and pork can be very hard to bite and chew. It’s very hard to bite off parts of the meat and then break it down in your mouth.
Better Options: Ground Beef, Pulled Pork
But you can do better by cooking your beef and pork so that it’s softer and easier to eat. Pulled pork and ground beef are easy to eat with dentures. If you’re faced with a steak or pork chop, cut it into small pieces with your knife.
Bad: Bread with Seeds
Roasted seeds on top of your bread can add color, texture, and taste, but they’re a hazard for denture wearers. They can get caught under the denture and lead to irritation.
Better: Whole Grain Breads
Many breads incorporate the nutrition and taste of seeds into the bread itself, such as bread made using flax seed meal. This allows you to enjoy the taste and get the benefit of seeds without the potential problems.
Bad: Nuts
Whole nuts provide a different challenge than nut butters, but it’s just as bad. When you bite down on nuts, it can dislodge your dentures because you’re putting a lot of force down unevenly. And if you do break up the nuts, the small fragments can get under your dentures like seeds.
Good: Olives and Seafood
Many people eat nuts to get the benefit of omega-3 fatty acids. You can also get these in olives and in seafood, both of which are easier to eat with dentures.
Bad: Sticky Candy
Toffees, brittles, and other sticky candies can be hard on your dentures. They can dislodge them and be hard to clean off. You can still eat hard candies if you are able to suck on them and resist the temptation to chew.
Better: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chocolate
But you can still feed sweet cravings if you have dentures. Chocolates are a great choice, but make sure you avoid nuts.
Bad: Popcorn
Of all the foods that can be bad for denture wearers, popcorn is among the worst. Popcorn has hard kernels that you may not be able to break with your dentures, and it can dislodge them. Popcorn’s husks can also get caught under your dentures, causing painful irritation.
Better: Rice Cakes
Rice cakes can be a way to get the crunch of popcorn without the kernels or husks. You can butter and salt them, or top them with your favorite spread.
Expand Your Food Options with Better Dentures
The efficiency of your chewing depends directly on the quality of your dentures. Better dentures will make eating more comfortable and allow you to eat a wider variety of foods. FOY® Dentures are designed to give optimal fit so you can enjoy a wider variety of foods.
To learn more about how FOY® Dentures can help you, contact a local FOY® Dentures dentist today.
