What Food Can You Eat with Dentures?

I have no bottom teeth. I currently wear an uncomfortable denture that slips on and off while I eat. I don’t know what food I can eat with dentures. I cannot afford teeth implants, so exclude that. What are my options? I want an affordable option and to know how it would help. If nothing else will work, I would like to know what food I can eat with dentures. Thanks for your help. – Josef from Indiana

Josef,

Thank you for your question.

If you have not already done so, please ask your dentist to examine your denture and determine why it lifts. Your dentist may need to adjust or reline your denture. But you have other options. First, we will answer your question about eating with dentures.

What Food Can You Eat with Dentures?

The food you can eat with dentures depends on how securely your denture fits. New dentures should be snug, and a soft food diet will allow you to adjust to them.

Adjusting to new dentures

Try foods like these that will not stress your jaw muscles:

• Applesauce
• Pudding
• Cooked cereal
• Scrambled eggs
• Mashed potatoes
• Soft steamed vegetables
• Finely chopped meats

Expanding your diet with dentures

It takes a few weeks to adjust to your new denture. As you expand your diet, remember that natural teeth have roots embedded in your jawbone, but a denture is resting on your gums. Chewing tough meats and sticky, chewy foods can lift dentures from your gums.

Try these options:

• Poultry
• Stewed or slow-cooked meats
• Fish
• Eggs
• Legumes and beans
• Soft steamed vegetables
• Non-chewy starches

An Alternative to Individual Dental Implants

You mentioned that you do not want teeth implants. Perhaps you are referring to replacing your teeth individually with dental implants. An alternative is securing your denture with as few as two dental implants, which is less expensive than an implant for each missing tooth. Implant-supported dentures are stable and will not lift. You can eat whatever you want.

If you do not want any implants at all, please consider these facts:

• After years of missing all your natural teeth, your jawbone begins to shrink.
• A complete removable denture that rests on your jawbone accelerates the shrinkage.
• In time, your jawbone will not be able to support a denture at all.
• Without bone supporting your facial muscles, your face will have a sunken appearance.
• Dental implants replace natural tooth roots and stimulate the bone to prevent shrinkage.

We suggest scheduling a consultation with an implant dentist to discuss your concerns with your denture and your options for making it fit better or stabilizing it with dental implants.

Dr. Steve Sirin, an Elgin, Illinois dentist, sponsors this post.