What Kinds of Foods Can I Eat with Dentures?

For many people, dentures offer the life-changing opportunity to once again speak, smile, laugh, chew, and eat their favorite foods with comfort and confidence once again. However, there are still some foods that you may need to be careful with — or even avoid — while wearing dentures. Here, you’ll find the answers to many common questions about dentures, including what foods you can eat, and which you should avoid, from Dr. Harshit Aggarwal and the knowledgeable team at the Center for Dentofacial Aesthetics in Annandale, VA.

Who needs dentures?

Dentures and overdentures provide an exciting solution for restoring the health, structure, and integrity of the teeth for patients who have multiple missing, severely damaged, or compromised teeth. Dentures can even be used to replace a full upper and/or lower arch. To determine whether you may be a candidate for dentures, Dr. Aggarwal and our team will perform a thorough examination with digital x-rays and other diagnostic tools as needed. Based on the findings of this assessment, we may recommend traditional dentures, which are held in place with adhesives, or overdentures, which are affixed to metal posts implanted in the jawbone. Overdentures can be removable or attached to the implants based on your preference.

Will I be able to eat normally with dentures?

For some patients, the potential to once again eat their favorite foods comfortably and confidently is one of the most compelling benefits of dentures. While dentures can certainly restore a person’s ability to eat more freely, it is still important to take proper care of your dentures to avoid damaging them. Additionally, certain foods may be more likely than others to become stuck beneath or between dentures. For these reasons, there are some foods that should be avoided when possible, including:

• Overly hard foods (nuts, hard candies, etc.)
• Sticky, gummy candies and foods
• Tough meat
• Popcorn

Can I bite into an apple with dentures?

Anytime you are eating with dentures, it is often a good idea to cut the item into smaller pieces and chew in the sides and back of your mouth versus biting straight into the item and/or tearing the item with your teeth, which can put undue pressure and strain on the dentures. That is not to say that the front teeth can’t be used at all, but when there is the opportunity to minimize stress on the dentures and to distribute the pressure of chewing and eating evenly, it is encouraged.

Can my dentures get stained?

Yes. While dentures and dental restorations are typically durable and stain-resistant, they can still become slightly discolored or even stained over time. To avoid yellowed or stained dentures, patients are encouraged to minimize their consumption of staining foods and beverages, like coffee, tea, and red wine. Rinsing your mouth after drinking a staining beverage is recommended.

With proper care and mindful choices, your dentures or overdentures can give you the comfort and confidence you deserve over the long term.

Restore your confidence and dental function with custom dentures in Annandale, VA

If you have missing, damaged, decayed, or otherwise compromised teeth that are preventing you from enjoying all that life has to offer, you may benefit from dentures or overdentures. Discover the exciting and life-changing improvements that dentures may have to offer you by calling the Center for Dentofacial Aesthetics to schedule your consultation with Annandale, VA, prosthodontist Dr. Harshit Aggarwal today.