If you’re looking for a reliable way to rebuild your grin after suffering from tooth loss, you could potentially benefit from dentures. These versatile prosthetics are the tried-and-true way to restore your smile’s appearance and functionality. With them in place, you’ll be able to eat and speak more easily.
However, it can take about a month for your tongue and the other supporting muscles in your mouth to become acclimated to working around your artificial teeth. For example, it’s not uncommon to struggle with certain tasks, like chewing food, until you’re fully acclimated. If you’ve had a hard time, keep reading to learn 3 tips that can ease your transition!
Tip #1: Choose Soft Foods
Your dentures rely on firm suction against your gums to remain in place, which can leave the soft tissues feeling tender until they become more desensitized. Although you may be eager to eat normally when you start wearing your artificial teeth, you’ll probably feel more comfortable with soft foods. Popular choices include scrambled eggs, applesauce, mashed potatoes, yogurt, blended fruit smoothies, and mild soups.
When you feel up to it, you can start including more solid foods. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide variety of wholesome ingredients for a well-balanced diet.
Tip #2: Stick with Small Bites
Overly large pieces of food, especially chewy meats, can be difficult to mash up enough to be easily swallowed and digested when your artificial teeth are new. All the extra motion required to break them down can cause friction against your gums, rubbing them raw. If they develop sores, germs can penetrate them and cause an infection. On top of that, you could develop jaw pain from the added tension.
To prevent TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders and other issues, it’s recommended that you cut your food into smaller pieces than you’re used to.
Tip #3: Check the Temperature
If you have a full set of dentures, your gums are somewhat insulated from the foods that you eat. That means you’re less able to determine their temperature, which can hurt your dental health. Eating something too hot can burn the tender tissues inside your mouth and cause blisters. Furthermore, you could also warp the base of your prosthetics, so they no longer fit.
To keep everything in tip-top shape, look for visual cues, like steam, that let you know whether your meal is overly warm. You can also gently touch a small bit to your lips to make sure it’s safe.
By making a few slight adjustments, you’ll enjoy a much smoother transition to life with dentures!
About the Author
Dr. Nicholas Rowley has 10+ years of experience helping families in Melbourne build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He graduated cum laude from Florida State University and then earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine at Nova Southeastern University. Since then, he has committed hundreds of hours to continuing education, so you know your teeth are in good hands. His relaxed environment is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to increase patient comfort while enhancing the accuracy of treatment results. If you’ve suffered from tooth loss and are considering dentures, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (321) 723-1772.