False Teeth and Eating

It is possible for our teeth to last a lifetime with proper care and cleaning, however, many of us lose them as we get older for many reasons. A recent study indicates that over fifty percent of adults over fifty-five wear dentures of some type. For instance as we age we may become afflicted with age-related illnesses such as arthritis which can affect our ability to brush properly. For whatever reason you may have had to resort to wearing dentures (false teeth), but this should not adversely affect the way you feel about yourself or change too drastically your eating habits.

Can I Still Eat Anything I Want with False Teeth

Dentures unlike teeth rest directly on your gums thereby making it difficult to eat certain foods comfortably as they can place undue pressure on the gums. The most difficult foods to eat with dentures are nuts, steaks, strawberries and sticky foods that may stick to dentures.

Ill-fitting dentures, that is, too loose or too tight, will also affect how you eat as these will make your gums sore and therefore eating will be quite painful. Report any discomfort you experience eating to your dentist who will ensure that you have proper fitting dentures.

Dentures, especially upper dentures, will also diminish to some degree your ability to taste as they will cover taste buds. Your sensitivity to hot or cold foods and pain tends to diminish so care should be taken with these. Be careful when chewing bones as you can injure your gums without knowing.

To get used to wearing false teeth and eating comfortably, start with bite size foods, and eat on the sides of your mouth. Biting food with your front teeth may dislodge or shift the position of your dentures.

Proper Cleaning of False Teeth

Like your teeth, dentures need to be properly cleaned to last and to protect your gums and mouth. Additionally, dentures if cared for properly, will not affect the quality of your smile, and in some instances they can actually improve it. The following tips are useful in helping to care for your dentures:

• Brush regularly, at least twice per day is recommended. It is best to brush your dentures with toothbrushes and solutions made specially for cleaning dentures.
• Rinse your mouth with warn salted water after eating, and before putting in your dentures in the mornings and after taking them out at nights
• To kill bacteria that causes odour, you should place an effervescent cleaning tablet in the water used to soak your dentures
• When you are not wearing your dentures keep submerged in water or denture cleaning solution. This prevents them from drying out and losing their shape. This will result in their not fitting well. In addition to brushing your dentures, you also need to brush your gums and tongue with a soft bristled toothbrush
• Visit your dentist at least twice per year, more often if you notice anything usual or your dentures are not fitting as they should

In general, however, having to use dentures / false teeth should not come between you and enjoying the foods you love. Wearing dentures may require some adjustments in your eating habits, but nothing too drastic. It is best to practice eating foods that are easy to chew so as to get used to wearing your dentures when eating. Once you become accustomed to eating with them you can pretty much return to your regular eating habits. As stated previously, the main problem with eating while wearing dentures is usually related to how well they fit.