Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA
Dentures will revive a smile, but they do alter the way a person eats and will, therefore, require an adjustment period before being worn comfortably and with confidence. Natural teeth use an up-and-down motion to crush food, and the teeth also shift while chewing to grind food, making it easier for the body to digest. Dentures only move up and down, so chewing requires a learning process. It usually takes at least a week to get the hang of it, and a person’s diet can be modified to help along the way.
With time — usually within a week or two — denture wearers can expect to be able to transition back to a mostly normal diet, but some permanent modifications will likely be necessary. Read on to find out how our cosmetic dentists in Bloomsburg say dentures might change the way you eat.
Just after getting dentures
Gums are sensitive and will have to adjust to dentures. While a person grows accustomed to dentures, general use — and even excess saliva from wearing dentures — can cause them to shift or slide. And any shifting or sliding, especially if it’s repeatedly in the same place, can cause temporary sore spots or lesions on the gums. That’s why, when first learning the mechanics and sensations of dentures, a person may need to stick to a liquid diet for nutrition. These foods include applesauce, jello, pudding, oatmeal, soups etc. Also, piping hot beverages should be avoided until sipping first to test the temperature.
Transition to soft foods
Once gums are adjusted to new dentures, a wearer can graduate to what is called a “mechanical soft diet” to help break down food texture to make it softer and easy to chew. This diet includes foods that can be blended, mashed, pureed, or chopped using a knife, grinder, blender, or food processor. Our dentists suggest cottage cheese, smoothies, mashed potatoes or avocados, canned fruit, pureed veggies, eggs, tofu and soft bread rolls. Items that should be avoided: hard cheeses, raw vegetables and fruits with skin and seeds, french fries, fried chicken or fish, crackers, cookies and pastries.
Once accustomed to dentures
It usually takes a few weeks for gums to grow completely accustomed to dentures. But even after that — and possibly permanently — a wearer will need to be mindful of diet. Dentures rest against the gums; unlike natural teeth and implants, dentures aren’t fused into the jawbone. Tough foods like steak can be difficult to chew; red meats that have been braised or slow-cooked are preferable. Foods like peanut butter, sticky candy and even berries can become trapped between the dentures and gums. If not followed by a thorough cleaning, particles from these foods can irritate the gums or even cause an infection.
Dentures in Bloomsburg, PA
Growing accustomed to dentures is a process for both the person wearing them and that person’s gums. It takes time and practice, but eating a proper diet while getting used to dentures will help along the way. Do you need dentures or have a question about dentures as a replacement for missing teeth? Schedule a consultation with our Hamilton Dental Care cosmetic dentists at (570) 316-0887 to book your appointment today.
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