If you’re missing teeth, getting a new pair of dentures can come as a huge relief. Imagine how great it will feel to smile with confidence again, and to finally be able to eat many of the foods you’ve had to decline in the past. But before you indulge, be sure to read up on which foods you should avoid with dentures. While they are a great way to replace lost teeth, they are not as strong as your original teeth once were, and thus should not be used to chew certain foods.

Here’s a list of dietary don’ts for your new dentures!

Biteforce and Dentures

When you have a full set of healthy teeth, your bite force is around 120 to 160 pounds per square inch. That’s pretty powerful. Unfortunately, however, when you have dentures that biteforce drops by around 70 percent, down to about 50 pounds per square inch. Here are a few foods that you should avoid due to this decrease:

• Tough meats like steak
• Jerky
• Nuts
• Crunchy raw vegetables such as broccoli or carrots
• Hard fruits like apples or pears
• Hard crusty bread

Cleaning Challenges

In addition to biteforce reduction, there are other reasons why you should avoid certain foods with dentures, such as cleaning challenges. Sometimes these items can be hard to remove from your dentures, making them a magnet for plaque and bacteria, and even causing costly damage. To keep them safe, be sure to avoid:

• Popcorn
• Sticky or chewy candy
• Red wine or dark fluids

Additionally, you should avoid chewing gum unless it is specifically approved for dentures. The right gum can actually be beneficial to new denture wearers, because it not only helps train your mouth how to chew with them, but it also helps increase saliva production and combat dry mouth, which sometimes be a problem while you’re adjusting to them.

Other Restorations

If you’re not ready to say goodbye to your favorite foods just yet, you may want to consider upgrading to implant dentures. Implant dentures secure your dentures to your jaw with the help of dental implants, but instead of having each crown on a separate implant, you would have a larger denture secured in several places on the jaw. Implant dentures are much easier to care for than regular dentures, and they provide a stronger biteforce, too, allowing you to expand your diet a bit further.

If you’re ready to restore your smile and start enjoying many of the foods you love once again, speak to your dentist today about a new pair of dentures.

About Our Practice

At Fort Dental, our experienced team of dentists is ready to help you get the smile of your dreams. With a wide range of dental services available ranging from general exams to cosmetic procedures and restorations, we want to be your dental team for life.

To schedule an appointment for dentures with us, please visit our website or call us at 817-292-5957 today.