What Can I Eat with Dentures?

If you’re new to dentures, everything probably feels a little strange. The new teeth in your mouth are a big change, and they’re going to take a bit of an adjustment period to feel natural.

The good news? Once you make it past that period, you’re going to feel like yourself again.

We’ve got the tips you need below to love life with dentures as quickly as possible. If you’re ever unsure during your adjustment period, just get in touch for personalized guidance. Your new dentures should fit well and feel comfortable within a short period – and if they don’t, we can help.

Tips to Remember When Getting Started with Dentures

• Be cautious – When you start eating with your new dentures, things are going to feel a little odd. Foods might taste a bit different, and your mouth might feel less sensitive. You can feel free to add additional seasoning to food, but be sure to be cautious so that you don’t burn yourself or break your dentures on hard foods. Be sure to cut foods into bite-sized pieces to make eating simpler for yourself.
• Chew the right way –  Try to chew with both sides of your mouth, and avoid biting with your front teeth. That can destabilize your dentures and lead to soreness. If you need to bite into something, use the side of your front teeth (your canines).
• Slowly adapt your diet – You should start with soft or liquid foods, and gradually work your way up to harder foods. Take note of how you feel eating, and adjust your diet as your confidence grows. Continue to avoid especially hot food and shells or bones. We have more tips on the different foods groups you can progress to below.
• Continue to treat your dentures with respect – You will eventually be able to return to your normal diet, with just a few changes. Even after you’re feeling like yourself again, you should still avoid problem foods and prepare others with care. Check out our list of the bad guys below.
• Clean your dentures regularly – Brush your dentures daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove food and prevent stains from taking hold. Remove them for cleaning so that you can get thorough access. This is also when you should brush your gums, remaining teeth if you have any, and your tongue. Soak your dentures in recommended cleaning solution overnight to better preserve them and their longevity.

Best Foods for New Dentures

Once you get better accustomed to your dentures, you’ll be able to eat a pretty normal diet, with a few special considerations. But you need to guide yourself back up to solid foods as you get used to biting and chewing with your new teeth.

Immediately after getting your dentures, it’s best to stick to soft or liquid foods. Your gums may be sore from extractions or implants, and you want to do your best not to irritate them. Try to eat the following:

• Oatmeal or malt-o-meal
• Applesauce
• Soup
• Pudding
• Jell-o
• Mashed potatoes or blended vegetables
• Yogurt

After a few days, start eating more solid but still easy to chew foods like rice, pasta, soft bread, heartier soup, cooked greens, fish and beans.

Once you’re feeling comfortable with your dentures, try out the following for satisfying but still easy to eat snacks and meals:

• Slow-cooked meats like brisket, carnitas, pulled pork, pot roast or anything else you can make in your slow cooker.
• Ground meats, since they’re far less tough and easy to chew.
• Spreads that aren’t nut-based, like hummus or cream cheese.
• Chocolate, which allows you to enjoy sweets without pulling out your dentures.
• Soft, ripe fruits like oranges, bananas, peaches and mangoes. You can also blend harder fruits into a smoothie.
• Cooked vegetables that have a manageable texture but still taste great.

Worst Foods for Dentures

These foods should be avoided – unless you eat them safely. We’ve put some tips on being careful below –

• Coffee and tea – Having a single cup in the morning isn’t going to be a problem. But if you’re a caffeine addict, it’s time to try to cut down. Large amounts of coffee or tea can dehydrate you, running a risk of dry mouth. You should also be sure to pair your caffeine with water to keep saliva flowing.
• Nuts and seeds – These crunchy snacks break down into irritating, hard pieces that can get stuck between your dentures and gums. Plus, biting down on them on one side of the mouth can lead to dentures becoming unstable, pulling loose on one side. Popcorn is a problem for the same reason. Seeded bread or crackers should also be avoided, as poppy seeds can be total pains.
• Steak – Steak can be difficult to chew even for people with all their natural teeth. Biting down on chewy steak with dentures can destabilize them or cause sore spots. You don’t have to avoid steak entirely – just cut it up into small pieces.
• Hard fruits and vegetables – Biting into a hard piece of fruit or vegetable with your front dentures puts excessive pressure on them, pulling them away from your gums. Try cutting these vegetables into small pieces, and eating softer vegetables at first until you’re more accustomed to chewing with dentures. Also chew on both sides of your mouth to keep dentures in place.
• Toffee and caramel – Sticky candy isn’t ideal for any teeth, but will almost definitely dislodge your dentures.
• Nut butters – Peanut butter tends to coat all the surfaces in your mouth, and is even more difficult to remove from dentures than it is from natural teeth.

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