Dentures are oral prosthetics made from a combination of acrylic, nylon, porcelain, and resin. They fit comfortably in the mouth and mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth. However, since consuming certain foods can damage them, it's important to know what changes to make to your diet. Here's what to avoid eating and drinking after you get dentures. 

4 Foods to Avoid With Dentures 

1. Tough Meats

Fibrous meats such as steak, porkchops, and ribs are often tough and require more chewing. This may cause dentures to rub against your gums, leading to soreness and inflammation. Additionally, tough meats and excessive chewing might weaken or wear the prosthetics, causing them to warp and fit poorly in the mouth. You can protect your gums and dentures by limiting your consumption of tough meats and substituting them for tender cuts of beef, pork, poultry, and fish.

2. Hard Items

Popcorn and nuts are hard, and biting directly into them may crack or break dentures. Similarly, raw carrots, apples, and corn on the cob might be hard enough to put pressure on oral prosthetics, causing the latter to dislodge or shift in the mouth and cause pain. Additionally, chewing hard, non-food items such as fingernails and pen caps may lead to denture damage. Avoid these problems by keeping hard foods and materials out of your mouth. 

3. Sticky Sweets

Lollipops, caramel chews, and taffy are extremely sticky treats, making them difficult to chew. They may cause oral prosthetics to stick together or dislodge, necessitating adjustments from a professional denture care provider. Sticky residues are also difficult to remove without scrubbing and potentially scratching or eroding false teeth. Eating these foods sparingly can prevent issues and keep these dental appliances in good condition.

4. Staining Substances

Foods and drinks that contain pigments, dyes, and tannins may leave unsightly stains on dentures. Even if you brush and soak your oral prosthetics, you might notice discoloration after consuming these substances. You can keep them white and beautiful by limiting your consumption of staining foods and beverages, such as tomato sauce, red wine, and coffee. If you eat or drink these items, rinse your mouth with water afterward. This may lift pigments, dyes, and tannins to make staining less likely. 

If you ever need dentures, contact Flathead Denture. They provide conventional and partial dentures, along with denture repairs, relines, and adjustments, to clients throughout Columbia Falls, MT. Call (406) 892-0700 to book an appointment for denture care, and visit the website to learn more about how they can restore your smile.