What can you eat with dentures?
The first weeks go best with soft food cut small. Harder foods can be added back one at a time as you get comfortable, and the office can tell you what suits your set.
Eating while you wait for dentures, or with no teeth
Between losing teeth and getting dentures, stay with soft food: soups, eggs, yogurt, mashed vegetables, soft fish, oatmeal and smoothies.
Avoid anything sharp or crunchy, since gums are easily sore. If eating has become hard enough that you are skipping meals, call the office.
Eating in the first weeks
Once the denture itself is in, it is a new thing to chew with, and the gums under it are adjusting too. Go in stages rather than testing it on a steak.
The American Dental Association advises starting with soft foods cut into small pieces, and chewing on both sides of the mouth to keep even pressure on both sides. Chew slowly. Sore spots are a reason to call the dentist for an adjustment.
What you can eat, and what to be careful with
Your own denture and gums may be more or less forgiving, so ask the office what suits your set.
Fine from the start
Soft, moist, easy to chew.
- Eggs, yogurt and cottage cheese
- Oatmeal and mashed potatoes
- Soup, once it has cooled
- Soft fish and tender meat
Carefully
Possible, once you are comfortable. Cut small, and chew on both sides.
- Steak and other tough meat, cut thin
- Raw apples and carrots, sliced thin
- Bread with a crust
Avoid
Hard, sticky or sharp foods can dislodge a denture or hurt the gum.
- Hard candy and ice
- Chewing gum, caramel and taffy
- Whole nuts and popcorn
Hot food and drink
Let hot food and drink cool. According to MedlinePlus, dentures may make it harder to feel hot foods and liquids.
Next step
If a denture is loose, cracked or uncomfortable, call the office. We can make a digital copy of an existing or damaged denture for a fast turnaround, and an existing denture can be retro-fitted to implants.