Drinking a steaming cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate may not be such a good idea for seniors who wear dentures.
You should still try to avoid anything with bones or shells so you don't break your denture and refrain from drinking anything too hot or cold.
Dentures tend to resist discoloration better than natural teeth. However, if you drink coffee regularly and do nothing to remove it from your dentures, it can eventually leave behind stains. You don't have to give up your morning cup of joe to keep your dentures looking their best.
Alcohol and Acrylics
It doesn't cause your dentures to dissolve, however: it makes tiny cracks (described as crazing) that lead to structural weakness.
Carbonated drinks
The carbonation contained in sodas and sparkling water may cause irritation and bleeding in those who wear new dentures. The action of the carbonation against healing gum tissue may also delay or interrupt the healing process, which can make adjusting to new dentures even more difficult.
To help keep your dentures clean and your mouth healthy, it is vital to use an antibacterial mouthwash. Choose an antibacterial mouthwash that contains fluoride to help protect your enamel. It should also include an antibacterial agent to destroy bacteria and help prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Do not chew anything during the first 24 hours after denture placement. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, milk, coffee, tea, broth, or Ensure®/Boost®.
Generally you should wear your dentures for at least 8 hours a day. This will give your gums and jawbone time to get used to the dentures and prevent sore spots from developing. It is best to take them out at night so that your gums can rest. You should also remove them for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
Hard foods: Chewing hard foods require your jaw and dentures to apply uneven pressure. This can dislodge or damage your dentures, so avoid nuts, popcorn, apples, raw carrot sticks and corn on the cob. Tough meats: Foods that require a lot of chewing place unnecessary stress on your dentures and gums.
Eating chocolate is fine for denture wearers, as long as it's free of nuts, toffee or other crunchy ingredients. Boiled, steamed or microwaved vegetables tend to have a softer texture. Cooked carrots, green beans, broccoli and spinach are all great options for your holiday meals this season.
When can I eat solid foods after getting dentures? It usually takes 3-4 weeks before you can master eating solid foods again. Once you return to solid foods, cut them into smaller than normal, bite-sized pieces in order to make chewing more comfortable and manageable.
Eating with Dentures or Partials
Consume foods that are simple to chew and easy to swallow. Examples include eggs, fish, cheese, chopped meat, cooked vegetables, and ice cream. Small bites and thorough chewing are essential—be careful not to bite down with your front teeth.
Cleaning with a normal toothbrush and toothpaste can be abrasive and cause damages, leading to an increased chance of bacteria forming and a displeasing look to your dentures. Abrasive toothpaste can also increase stain adherence on dentures.
Salty Snacks
If you find yourself craving something salty, remember that hard, sharp, or jagged pieces don't play nicely with dentures and can be uncomfortable if lodged in your mouth. Rather than reaching for chips or popcorn, lighter foods like crackers or vegetable sticks with dip are a better alternative.
Meal Planning
Some of our favourite options here include rice or risotto, pasta and noodles, eggs, soft breads, macaroni and cheese and soft-cooked vegetables. Here are some soft foods recommended by our dentists.
Cut the food into smaller pieces, hold it against the upper front teeth or lower front teeth, whichever is more comfortable, slowly bring the teeth together through the food and then tear the remaining section. If sandwiches continue to be a problem, cut them into bite sized pieces.
Spread the food evenly in your mouth while you chew, this will help to stabilize the dentures while you are chewing. Eat bread and other cereals with liquids, as they have the tendency to stick to your teeth. You may want to avoid eating very hard or sticky foods, even with the use of denture adhesive.
New dentures can take around two to four weeks to settle properly. It's not unusual to experience some tenderness or discomfort at first. Here's a guide on how to prevent prolonged discomfort, and why you may experience it.
Polident Dentu-Creme
The toothpaste is safe for metals, so it can be used on dentures and partials. This product is specially formulated to clean dentures and partials outside of the mouth. Clean over a sink half-filled with water and a soft-bristled brush to prevent damage if dropped.
Use a denture cleanser. (Conventional toothpaste, bleach, vinegar and soap are not designed for denture cleaning and could, in some cases, cause damage. Scratched dentures will harbor unsightly plaque bacteria, causing denture odor.