Louisville KY
No matter what you have planned for the summer, you’re likely to spend the majority of it with family and friends. Whether it is time spent by the pool, grilling out in the backyard, or taking a week-long vacation to the beach, you want to make the most of these warm months. But when you’re wearing dentures, enjoying some of your favorite foods can be difficult, if not impossible. What can you do? Here are 4 tips to remember that will help keep your prosthetic firmly in place while allowing you to eat the delicious meals you love.
Avoid Chewy Meats in the Beginning
When first wearing dentures, you will discover it is a tiresome process trying to eat steak, ribs, or any other chewy, grilled meat. Because you’re still getting used to how your prosthetics work, it’s best to stick to ground turkey, beef, or chicken, or those that are slow-cooked. This will make it much easier for you to bite and chew without worrying about your dentures popping out of place or falling out altogether.
Cut Larger Foods Into Small Bites
Corn on the cob, fruit, and vegetables are all examples of delicious foods that can cause real embarrassment. When consuming these items, it’s best to cut them into smaller pieces to avoid putting additional strain and pressure on your jaw, teeth, and gums. You’ll need time to adjust to chewing with your prosthetic and trying to eat large pieces of food will only tire your mouth more quickly.
Be Mindful of Hot Foods
Did you know that dentures can act as an insulator? When eating hot foods, you may not realize it, but you could burn your soft oral tissues quite easily. Because most people tend to grill during the summer months, you’re better off taking small bites and testing the temperature of your food before you start eating larger pieces. This will ensure that your mouth is protected from any potential burns caused by the food you’re eating.
Drink Lots of Water
No matter what type of food you’re eating this summer, always make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Soda, alcohol, juice, and sports drinks may taste good, but they’re likely to dehydrate you, dry out your mouth, and keep bad bacteria firmly in place on your teeth and gums. Drinking lots of water will help to flush out any particles that need to move along as well as keep your saliva production working swiftly.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
If you really want to avoid any potential slip this summer, you might even consider switching out your traditional dentures for dental implants. Made of titanium or zirconia posts, these unique tooth replacements are surgically placed into the jawbone and allow for greater stability and functionality when eating, speaking, or smiling. Patients living with what is known as implant dentures have greater confidence when surrounded by others because they can eat all the foods they love without worry.
Eating with dentures doesn’t have to be an impossible task. By keeping these 4 tips in mind, you can be sure that your summer is filled with all the foods you love.
About the Author
Dr. Patrick Carroll earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Louisville. In addition to a general practice residency certificate he earned from the University of Kentucky, Dr. Carroll is the only current LVI graduate in Kentucky, and he offers neuromuscular and cosmetic dentistry knowledge to all his patients. He also assists patients who need replacing their missing teeth and offers solutions such as dentures to restore their smiles. As a long-trusted solution, he can help you through the adjustment phase and offer suggestions to help you become accustomed to your new smile. To find out how Dr. Carroll can help you, contact us via our website or call (502) 498-8297.
