Finding denture friendly foods can be difficult. Here are 8 foods you should avoid, and 8 tasty and denture friendly substitutions.
- Avoid popcorn
Having a piece of popcorn lodged in your dentures can be a real pain. Foods with hard or sharp bits are particularly tough for denture wearers who have to worry about getting food stuck between their dentures and their gums.
Substitute puffed veggie crisps
If you are craving something salty and crunchy try some air puffed veggie crisps. But be sure to drink lots of fluids with them. Veggie crisps can get sticky as you chew them, making them difficult for denture wearers. Drinking lots of fluids increases saliva production which breaks down sticky foods. - Avoid coffee and tea
Drinking coffee or tea in moderation won’t stain your dentures any more than they would natural teeth, but large amounts can be dehydrating and lead to a dry mouth.
Substitute decaf or reduce consumption
If you really need your coffee or tea just be sure to temper it by drinking plenty of non diuretic fluids like water to help with saliva flow and comfort. Without plenty of saliva to lubricate, the friction from dentures can irritate your gums. - Avoid sticky candy
Chewy and sticky candy is bad for dentures and natural teeth. Denture wearers need to be particularly wary as sticky foods can dislodge your teeth.
Substitute sugar free gum
A sweet treat that won’t wreck your teeth. Sugar free gum also helps increase saliva production, keeping your mouth lubricated. - Avoid nuts
Chewing nuts create tiny, painful particulates that can get stuck under your partial dentures. It also doesn’t help that they way nuts are eaten makes dentures unstable. Dentures require that you chew on both sides of your mouth, while nuts tend to be chewed on just one side or the other.
Substitute pitted olives
Pitted olives are easier to chew, and also contain the same heart-healthy fats that nuts do that help lower your cholesterol. Seedless grapes and berries are also a good choice. - Avoid bread and crackers with seeds
Seeds have a tendency to get stuck under your dentures, causing gum irritation.
Substitute whole grain bread
Opt for breads with the grains baked in. This way you still get the health benefits of whole grains in an easier to chew medium. - Avoid steak
Large bites of meat like steak can be more than your dentures can handle. Biting into tough foods can destabilize your teeth and the additional pressure required to chew large pieces of meat can create sore spots under your dentures.
Substitute chicken or fish
You don’t need to give up steak entirely, just remember to cut it into small pieces to aid in chewing. Ground meats, chicken and fish are also easier for your dentures to handle. - Avoid raw fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are integral to a healthy diet, but hard fruits and vegetables such as carrots, corn-on-the-cob and apples can be very hard on dentures. Biting into hard foods puts a lot of pressure on the incisors (front teeth) and can dislodge your dentures.
Substitute cooked or pureed fruits and vegetables
Enjoy fruits in fresh smoothie form or try roasting or boiling your carrots to soften them. Corn on the cob can also be enjoyed, simply cut the corn off the cob to avoid putting pressure on your incisors. - Avoid nut butters
Peanut butter and other nut butters are very sticky, and while you can easily dislodge them from your natural teeth with your tongue this is much harder to achieve with dentures.
Substitute hummus
Choose a non sticky, protein rich spread like hummus, tapenades and spreadable salads (tuna, egg, chicken) to enjoy on whole wheat bread and crackers.
For more information about denture care, or to book an appointment contact Vadim Dumbrava at 403.475.0016 and visit calgarydentureclinic.net.
