Can I eat normally with dentures?

Dentures replace natural teeth, but they do not feel the same. Although your mouth and tongue become accustomed to this new dental appliance, you will need to change how you handle your food. You may also consider cutting food into smaller pieces, using both sides of your mouth to chew, and chewing more slowly.

After a while, you should be able to eat normally, but it may take more time to get comfortable with harder foods or sticky foods. Using a small amount of denture adhesive (no more than three or four pea-sized dabs on each denture) may help stabilize the dentures and help hold them in place while you learn how to get comfortable with them and will make the learning process easier.

Some foods may not taste the same, and your mouth may become less sensitive to hard food – putting your dentures at risk for breakage. You may find it necessary to add more seasoning to your meals and take special care not to eat or drink things that are too hot.

Unfortunately, dentures and chewing gum do not usually work well together, no matter which brand of chewing gum you decide to try. The gum typically sticks to the acrylic plastic in the denture. Gum may remain stuck to the denture and eventually harden and discolor. Ultimately, if you wear dentures, you should avoid chewing gum.

Eating with dentures will become a pleasant experience, and you will soon be able to eat nearly the same diet you upheld before. You may choose to avoid nuts and seeds, as they can slip under dentures and irritate the mouth.

Always keep your dentures clean by removing them every day and brushing them with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove food deposits and prevent staining. Brush your gums, any remaining teeth and tongue at the same time. Keep in mind dentures should also be soaked overnight in denture cleaning solution so they can stay clean and don't dry out. See our blog post on how to clean your dentures.