If dental issues have been part of your daily routine, then enjoying dining is not something you will ever experience. The good thing is that an effective solution to this problem exists. Getting dentures can help you indulge in dinner or breakfast or even lunch without any problems.
During the first days of having dentures on, it is normal to have difficulties chewing food. With some change of diet, you can enjoy your life as a denture wearer. There is no doubt about that.
Have you traded your original teeth for partial or full dentures? Maintaining your usual or favorite diet can be stressful.
Read on to know what and when to eat among other things:
First week: Liquid diet
To avoid dislodging and tipping caused by hard/solid food, opt for liquid foods. Smoothies and soups are a great place to start is. You get to enjoy all the goodness and vitamins from fruits and vegetables without having to bite down or chew anything. Other foods you can take during the first week are purees and yogurts. The most important thing during the first week is to chew as little as possible. If your liquid diets are tasteless, consider adding some spices or herbs to add some flavor. Tasty drinks like fruit juices ensure you don’t get bored with the liquid diets during this sensitive initial period.
Second week: Soft Foods
In the second week, your chewing abilities should start to improve. This week calls for incorporating soft foods into your meals. Some of the soft foods you can slot in include steamed fish, scrambled eggs, stewed poultry, and mashed potatoes. Others are legumes and boiled vegetables.
Week three moving forward: Relatively harder foods
On the third week and as the weeks pass, your mouth, tongue, and jaw adjust to having the dentures in place. Consequently, there is no harm in gradually adding an array of foods to your daily meals. Even as you introduce these foods, ensure you chew them slowly and thoroughly before swallowing. Some of the foods you can take at this time include cooked carrots, celery, chicken, vegetables, pasta, and rice. If it is meat, ensure you cut it into small pieces. It becomes easier to chew that way.
Foods to avoid
Eventually, you’ll be able to eat a wide variety of foods. However, you should keep off several foods. They are unhealthy for dentures. Top on the list is hard foods. Foods such as nuts and raw vegetables can increase the risk of damage to your precious dentures. Also, avoid drinks such as soda, coffee, tea, and red wine. All these can leave your dentures with nasty stains. Lastly, keep off anything sticky. Refrain from chewy chocolates, chewing gums, mochi balls, and taffy, etc.
Being selective on the foods you take is important for your dentures. It ensures they remain in the best shape for long. Let the above information be your guide on what and when to eat.
