Dentures

When eating with your dentures on for the first time, start with soft food, such as a purée, soup, boiled eggs, ground meat or some cooked vegetables. For breakfast, soft cereals, such as warm porridge, can be a great choice. Foods and liquids may taste different in the early stages, but your sense of taste will eventually improve. It can be difficult to judge temperatures properly due to the insulating quality of the denture, so be careful with hot food or drinks, otherwise you risk burning your mouth. It’s also important to take small bites, chewing on both sides of the mouth to keep even pressure on the denture. While you can eat almost anything, you may want to avoid some of the more ‘difficult’ food, such as crusty breads, tough red meats and chewing gum.

A regular cleaning routine will make your dentures last longer. Gentle brushing removes plaque, as well as minimising bad taste and smell. When brushing each night, use a soft-bristle denture brush with water. Scrub gently to remove any loose food particles, making sure you don’t bend any attachments. After cleaning your teeth, leave your dentures in a dry container to avoid bacterial growth.
This ‘rest time’ also helps preventing you from grinding your teeth during sleep, and gives your mouth a chance to rest. Consult your dental practitioner for details.

If your dentures no longer fit properly, visit your dentist. They may need some adjustments to prevent irritation or infection of your gums. Also, you will usually need to see your dentist every six months for a check-up and to review the condition of the dentures.