Eating with Artificial Teeth: Foods to Avoid with Dentures

Dentures can be an amazing way to restore your smile and much of your ability to chew and enjoy many of your favorite foods, but there are limitations to what they can handle. There are a few guidelines that everyone with dentures should be aware of. No one has to go hungry while wearing dentures, and some people are better at eating different things with them than others. Here are some foods to be cautious around if you have dentures, some tips on eating with them, and some denture-friendly alternatives worth considering.

Meat Can Be Tough

Steak is widely considered one of the most delicious foods known to mankind, but its chewy, fibrous meat can be a bit much for dentures to sufficiently cut and shred. However, many people with dentures find it perfectly edible when they cut it into small bites. You might also try softer cuts or having fish or chicken instead.

While dentures are excellent at chewing, they are not the best at taking bites out of food. You’ll want to stay away from eating meat directly off the bone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy barbeque ribs. All you need to do is cut the meat away from the bone beforehand and eat it with a fork and knife off the plate. This way you can enjoy all that meaty goodness while not having to worry about getting the sauce all over your face, fingers, and shirt.

Watch Out for Tougher Breads, Nuts, and Vegetables

Getting food wedged between dentures’ artificial teeth or stuck between the denture and the gums can cause a lot of damage and irritation. For this reason, you’ll want to avoid hard kernel-type foods like nuts, seeds, and popcorn. You’ll also want to refrain from breads that have chewy crusts or contain seeds. Good alternatives are berries or pitted olives and softer breads. Harder, snappier fruits and raw vegetables can also be troublesome for dentures, but you can have these in their cooked, mashed, or pureed forms.

Confectionary Conundrums

Sticky and particularly chewy foods can dislodge your dentures while you’re chewing. This includes nut butters and many candies like toffee and caramel. Gum can be especially difficult because, in addition to pulling dentures out of place, it can get stuck to them and be quite difficult to remove. If you’re looking for a denture-friendly dessert, try ice cream, custard, or yogurt, and if you’re looking for something to chew after meals, some companies make denture-friendly brands of chewing gum.

Beverages like red wine, coffee, colas, and tea can stain the artificial teeth in dentures just like they can with real teeth if consumed to excess. Chasing these drinks with water or a good brushing can do a lot to mitigate the discoloration, as can drinking them in moderation or using a straw to limit contact.

Eating with dentures is a massive step up from eating without teeth. By being aware of your denture’s limitations, you can maximize your enjoyment of food and the appearance of your smile for years to come.

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Cowell earned his dental doctorate at the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 1995 and spent the next year serving as a dentist for people in nursing homes throughout Florida. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists. His practice in DeLand, FL offers preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry such as denture services. For more information about eating with dentures, contact his office online or dial (386) 734-8585.