Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Getting used to your dentures
• Part 2 of 3: Enjoy the food you like
• Part 3 of 3: Stop eating certain foods
• Tips
• Warnings

Eating with dentures is different from eating with your normal teeth. Chewing with only one side of your mouth can loosen and shift your dentures. Foods with certain textures can cause your dentures to break or come loose. So be patient and give yourself a few weeks to get used to your dentures. You won't be able to eat some foods, but learning some cooking tricks will help you continue to enjoy most of the foods you like.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Getting used to your dentures

1. Chew with both sides of your mouth. Keep the food in the back on the side of your mouth or in the front corners. Chew your food slowly on both sides at the same time. That way, your dentures are more likely to stay in place and the pressure from chewing will be evenly distributed across your mouth.
2. Don't chew with your front teeth. If you try to bite into food with your front teeth, chances are very high that your dentures will come loose. Instead, bite with the teeth on the sides and use your tongue to get the food into the back of your mouth. Chew thoroughly and slowly before swallowing the food.
3. Get used to your dentures with liquid food. If you've never had dentures before, it can be very difficult to eat solid foods. Drink liquids that contain many nutrients such as fruit juice, vegetable juice or milk (animal or vegetable). Then start with pureed fruits and vegetables such as applesauce and compote. Other good choices include:
   • Tea and coffee sweetened with honey
   • Soup, broth and bisque without pieces and other foods
4. Switch to soft foods. These foods are easy to chew and swallow. If necessary, cut or mash your food before eating it. In addition to the above liquid foods, you can also eat the following:
   • Soft cheese, eggs, mashed potatoes, minced meat and cooked vegetables
   • Soft fruits, cooked rice and pasta
   • Bread and cereals that you have softened in milk or water

Part 2 of 3: Enjoy the food you like

1. Use adhesive paste on your dentures. Adhesive paste ensures that no food residue can get stuck between your dentures and gums. Make sure your dentures are clean and dry. Then squeeze the adhesive paste in short strings on the side that meets your mouth. Make sure the adhesive is not too close to the edge, so that it does not run under your dentures. Start with a small amount and gradually add more as needed.
   • This may be necessary for the lower part of your dentures, which can become loose with your tongue. Ask your doctor for dietary recommendations.
2. Cut tough food into smaller pieces. Cut your apple or raw carrot into bite-sized pieces instead of biting into them. Remove corn from the cob with a sharp knife. Tear the crust off your pizza or garlic bread. If you learn to eat most foods differently, you won't have to give them up.
3. Steam your vegetables. The flavor will be retained, while the vegetables will be softer and a bit crisper. Pour about 2-3 inches of water into a large saucepan. Place the pan with water on a high heat and let the water boil while bubbling. Place a steamer basket in the pan over the water and add the fresh vegetables. Cover the pan and let the vegetables soften in about 10 minutes.

Part 3 of 3: Stop eating certain foods

1. Stop eating solid hard foods. Your dentures can easily break if you put a lot of pressure on them. Do not eat foods that require extra force to chew them properly. These are foods such as croutons, crunchy muesli bars and nuts.
   • Instead of nuts, you can also eat olives, which are also a good source of healthy fats.
2. Don't eat sticky foods. They can stick between your dentures and gums. Sticky foods can also cause your dentures to loosen and cause pain and discomfort. Stop eating gum, toffee, chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter.
   • Hummus is a good alternative to peanut butter. It is spreadable, non-sticky and ensures that you get protein.
3. Do not eat foods with small pieces. Fruit pits can easily get between your dentures and gums. Do not eat strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and grapes with seeds. Also, do not eat baked foods with seeds on the crust, such as poppy seed muffins, sesame seed buns, and kaiser buns.
   • Eat blueberries and seedless grapes instead of fruit with seeds. If you still want to eat buns with seeds, choose buns and muffins that have the seeds baked in or that are made from ground grain.

Tips

• If you have dentures at the top of your mouth, you may notice that your food tastes different at first. However, this shouldn't be permanent as most of the taste buds are on your tongue. Talk to your dentist if your sense of taste does not improve after a few weeks.
• Instead of adhesive paste, you can also use cream and powder for your dentures. Ask your dentist what he or she recommends.

Warnings

• If you try to eat solid foods before you get used to your dentures, you may swallow unchewed food and start choking.
• Do not eat hard foods on the first day of wearing your dentures. Your dentures can easily break if you chew the wrong way.