Holiday Foods to Avoid with Dentures

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If you’ve experienced significant tooth loss, dental implants and dentures in West Cobb are a great solution to rebuild a beautiful, functional smile. Although they are designed to act like your real teeth, they aren’t indestructible. Besides daily wear and tear, the holidays can be especially damaging to your replacement teeth. You can ensure the season doesn’t leave a lasting mark on your new smile by avoiding certain foods and following a few tips.

Foods to Avoid During the Holidays

Whether you have dentures or dental implants, you’ll want to take extra care when selecting the foods on your plate. Although they may be holiday favorites, they can compromise your new smile. As a result, your dentist recommends you avoid:

  • Sticky Foods: Sticky foods are notorious for causing a denture to loosen or fall out, but they are also a danger for dental implants. They can be difficult to remove from your prosthetic teeth and almost impossible to clean from hard-to-reach places, like around the abutments. It’s best to avoid them to prevent any unwanted sticky residue on your replacement teeth.
  • Overly Hard Foods: Dentures and dental implants will restore much of your natural biting force, but you will still have some limitations. Not only can overly hard foods damage your new teeth, but they can also cause sores on your gums if you wear a traditional denture.
  • Popcorn: Popcorn is a healthy snack but biting into an unpopped kernel can damage your teeth.
  • Hard Nuts: Nuts are loaded with nutrients, but the force it takes to chew them can lead to a dental emergency.
  • Tough Meats: Tough or chewy meats, like steak, can break down your new smile. If you can’t avoid them, cut them into small pieces to make them easier to chew.

Tips for Eating with Dentures

Although you’ll need to watch what you eat, you can still enjoy many of your favorite treats and dishes by following a few precautions:

  • Cut your foods into small pieces, even if they are soft.
  • Avoid chewing with your front teeth because it can wear them down and cause sores.
  • Chew your food slowly and carefully.

Protect Your Smile During the Holidays

You can enjoy your holiday feast by choosing foods that are safe for your smile. In addition, don’t forget to take the time to clean your dental implants or dentures every day. Besides caring for them at home, visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. Your dentist will help protect your investment, so you can start the new year with a beautiful smile.

Reclaim Your Beautiful Smile
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