Once you’ve adjusted to your dentures, you’ll be surprised at how capable they are. Talking, eating, and smiling all become much more pleasant once you have a well-fitting prosthetic.
However, just like your natural teeth, there are some foods that can potentially do damage to your dentures. There are still others that may be relatively harmless but can potentially cause your prosthetic to pop out.
If you want to know more about which foods to avoid when you have dentures, here are a few examples you may want to keep in mind.
Chewy Meats
For the most part, dentures should be strong enough to help you chew up most meats. Chicken, for example, should pose no problems for your prosthetic.
However, some of the toughest meats may be a little bit much for your dentures to handle if you aren’t careful. In the case of steak or pork chops, you may want to cut the meat into as small of pieces as possible so that they’ll be easier to chew. Then some meats, like beef jerky, should be avoided altogether.
Nuts and Popcorn
While your dentures should ideally fit securely to your jaw, there are some instances where tiny gaps can be present between your jaw and your prosthetic. That’s partially what makes both nuts and popcorn so dangerous.
Not only are these foods pretty hard, but they also have a habit of breaking into small shards as you chew them. If you eat them, it’s possible for these tiny food fragments to slip under your prosthetic and start to irritate the gums, creating sore spots and other problems.
Things That Aren’t Food
Unfortunately, many people have made a habit of opening packages, trimming their nails, and chewing pencils with their teeth, each of which is absolutely terrible for them. This is as true for your dentures as it was for your pearly whites, if not more so.
Your dentures are useful tools, but you can’t treat them like a Swiss army knife. Food should be just about the only thing you put in your mouth with dentures.
About Our Practice
At Gentle Dentistry Sparta, we want you to know that dentistry doesn’t need to be stressful or uncomfortable. Oral healthcare is an opportunity for self-care, which is why we’ve turned our office into a spa-like environment. Whether you’re coming to us to get a restoration, a cleaning, or even a complete smile makeover, we’ll be able to give you the care that you need while keeping you completely comfortable!
If you have any questions about dentures, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (973) 729-9044.