Dentures & Nutrition: Can You Eat Normally? 

Dentures are a common method of tooth replacement that millions of people use to recapture a more youthful appearance and functional smile. Offering stability and improved bite force, these prosthetics allow you to eat various foods without issue. But what about those high in vitamins and minerals that allow for a more nutrient-rich diet? Keep reading to find out if you can eat normally with dentures and what you can do to ensure better oral and overall health.

What is the Biggest Concern Regarding Dentures & Nutrition?

The biggest concern patients tend to have when wearing dentures is the potential risk of malnutrition. The reason for this is that these prosthetics only improve a person’s bite force by 20-25% from what it was originally. As a result, it can make eating certain foods increasingly difficult if not impossible. These might include:

• Various types of meat because of the various fibers that cannot be torn
• Raw vegetables and fruit because of their hard texture
• Bread and potatoes because of how sticky they can be

Failing to incorporate nutrient-rich foods into one’s diet can lead to serious overall health problems, especially as it concerns the digestive system. When foods are not chewed properly, they are swallowed in larger pieces, making it harder for the stomach to process. This can deprive the body of essential nutrients.

What Can Be Done to Improve Nutrition?

For those who wear dentures, it’s important to find ways to eat nutritious foods, like those high in protein, calcium, vitamins C, D, and A, and more. Lean meats, leafy greens, dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. are necessary components of any good diet.

If dentures are the preferred method of tooth replacement for an individual, it’s vital that they cut their food into smaller pieces and practice chewing with both sides of their mouth. This will ensure that it is properly digested, allowing the body to absorb essential nutrients.

If another tooth replacement option is preferred, one might consider dental implants. As permanent, titanium prosthetics that are placed within the jawbone and fuse with nearby tissues, they are the closest thing to natural teeth and allow patients to enjoy a stronger bite force – one that is nearly fully restored.

Not only do these artificial teeth look extremely lifelike, but they work just like regular teeth, so eating healthy foods and maintaining a nutrient-rich diet is easy.

Don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist about your options. Having replacement teeth that allow you to eat the foods you love and that are good for you is one of the best ways to ensure better oral and overall health in the future.

About the Practice
Real Dental consists of multiple dentists and specialists who are committed to delivering high-quality, state-of-the-art service and care to patients of all ages. Offering various treatment options to those suffering from tooth loss, we can craft lifelike prosthetics that are designed to boost confidence, restore aesthetics, and improve oral health. If you are considering dentures to replace your missing teeth but are curious about how they might impact your eating habits, visit our website or call (817) 406-7239.