Dentures are used to replace missing teeth. Usually, full dentures replace all of the teeth on the upper or lower jaw. While partial dentures only replace a few missing teeth. Getting an absolutely new set of teeth may seem exciting, but there are a few drawbacks as well.
While wearing dentures has its benefits, the most disadvantageous side is getting used to them. They may look all pretty and fancy, but eating with dentures is very uncomfortable.
Initially, when you have first gotten your dentures, dentists advise avoiding solid food. The ordeal of resisting solid food is honestly the hardest.
You also must be wondering how long till you can eat solid food after getting dentures. I have compiled this complete guide on what to expect while getting new dentures, along with many of your queries. Here you go!
Table of Content
Common Difficulties for getting dentures
Getting dentures is absolutely life-changing. While it has its numerous perks, there are a few downsides to wearing dentures. But it is still worth it.
The hardest part of getting dentures is adjusting to them. Other than that, the rest of the inconveniences are minor.
Soreness
Getting dentures is a pretty lengthy procedure. When you are getting complete dentures, all of your teeth are going to get removed.
So, naturally, your gums will be sore. And you will face this soreness for a couple of weeks. But after the dentures settle in, the soreness will be gone.
Increased Saliva
After getting new dentures, you will notice how your mouth will produce an insane amount of saliva. No need to get worried about this because it is entirely normal.
The increased amount of saliva production happens because your mouth is not accustomed to the dentures yet. Once your body becomes used to the dentures, the saliva production will return to normal.
Discomfort while talking
Most people get dentures for speech improvement. But it takes a while for a person with dentures to improve their speech. Because after getting new dentures, you will face discomfort while speaking.
Dentures are an extra accessory fitted into your mouth. So speaking or eating with it at first will create some sort of discomfort.
You will find it difficult to pronounce certain words. But this is still a temporary issue. And practicing with dentures will help you in the long run.
Eating
Eating is one of the most challenging things to do with new dentures. Because new dentures make biting and chewing very difficult, the most common problem I hear from my patients is ‘I can’t chew with my dentures’.
Initially, denturists advise people to stick with soft or liquid food for a few weeks. The wait seems like an eternity. But how long do you have to wait till you can eat solid food after getting dentures? Well, it depends on your overall oral health.
But I would recommend you stop worrying about how to eat a hamburger with dentures. Fast foods will make things more complicated. It’s better to look for recipes for new denture wearers.
Wait at least 2-3 weeks before starting solid food. If you still have a hard time chewing, then continue another week with soft food.
The adjustment period of dentures varies from person to person. So eating with dentures for the first time will also vary.
How Long Till You Can Eat Solid Food After Getting Dentures
To make your journey easier, we have made a list of tips you can follow after getting dentures. If you are worried about how long will new dentures hurt, they will surely help you.
Stick to soft food
At the initial stage of getting dentures, always stick to soft food. This is the best way how to keep food from getting under your dentures.
Gums take quite a while to heal completely. So, during this healing period, do not eat solid food at any cost. If you still want to try, be my guest. Just a heads up, it will be excruciatingly painful.
So if you want to avoid that, stick to soft food. Eat soft cereal, oats, porridge, or soups. And how long till you can eat solid food after getting dentures? You will have to wait at least 2-3 weeks before transitioning to solid food.
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Avoid hot liquids
While eating, avoid scalding food or liquids—even warm soups. When dentures are first fitted, they don’t settle in. So, hot food or drinks can loosen your dentures. And do not hold liquids in your mouth. It can also loosen dentures.
Avoid spicy food
Your gums will already be sore from getting dentures. Any kind of spicy food will irritate your mouth. So, bring it down a notch in terms of spicy food. You will thank us later.
Chew carefully
Before your dentures have adjusted entirely, it won’t be easy to chew for a while. As you transition from soft food to solid food, be careful while chewing. Because the slightest negligence will accidentally make you bite the inside of your cheeks. So, be careful!
Don’t skip dental visits
For newbies who just got dentures, never skip dental visits. Adjustments are very normal, so your dentures might need to get adjusted now and then. Hence, dental visits and oral cleaning are essential.
Foods to Avoid with Dentures
When you get new dentures, the hardest part is adjusting to a new diet. Entirely abstaining from solid food is very hard. Well, what can be done, though? It’s just a few weeks, and you will be back to your previous diet.
But, you need to be aware of the food that should be avoided while getting dentures. So, here is a list of food that you should avoid with dentures.
Sticky food
The problem with sticky food like caramel, Nutella, or peanut butter is that they can move your dentures out of place. Moreover, they can also irritate your gums. So avoid sticky food.
Nuts or hard fruits
Any kind of crunchy or hard food like nuts, apples, or guavas should be avoided. It can damage your dentures.
Tough meat
You should entirely avoid steaks, burgers, or ribs during this period. It puts an unnecessary amount of pressure on the jaw and makes chewing more difficult.
Types of Dentures
One trip to the dentist’s office will enlighten you on the various options available for getting dentures. To save a trip, we have listed out the types of dentures and its procedure.
You still have to schedule an initial consultation. The dentist will assess the condition of your teeth and suggest to you the type of denture you should get.
Full Dentures
All of your teeth need to be extracted for getting full dentures. An anesthetic is first injected into the gums to make the procedure as painless as possible.
Then, the teeth are extracted. After the extraction, the dentures are inserted. You may experience some soreness but it will go away within a few weeks.
Partial Dentures
In this type, you do not have to extract all of your teeth. So, it is entirely pain-free. But, after the dentures are inserted, you may feel slight discomfort.
Because it takes a while to get accustomed to dentures. But after a few weeks, you will be good to go!
Implant Dentures
This procedure is the most lengthy out of the above methods. In this process, all of the teeth are extracted, and dental implants are surgically installed.
It may sound excruciating, but it isn’t. The denturist waits for about six months and lets the gums heal before operating on the patient again. After the gums are completely healed, he installs the dental implants and fits the dentures.
Advantages
There is no denying how beneficial dentures are. Trust in the process, and you will surely reap the benefits. Here are the perks of getting dentures!
- Speech improvement.
- Dentures will support your cheeks and won’t prevent them from collapsing inwards.
- You can chew food better. Chewing with missing or broken teeth is a hassle.
- Very easy to clean and maintain.
Is getting Dentures Painful?
Many people insist on living with broken or missing teeth because they are too afraid of getting dentures. But the reality is, getting dentures is nothing like your painful imagination.
Many people experience no pain while getting dentures. By understanding the process of getting dentures, you will realize how minor this procedure is. It’s almost like having braces despite having cavities.
FAQ
Can you eat pizza with dentures?
It is better to avoid solid food at the beginning. Chewing is tough when you will get your dentures for the first time. So, avoid food that requires too much chewing.
How long till you can eat solid food after getting dentures?
After getting dentures, you need to wait for at least 2-3 weeks. Keep eating semi-solid or soft food during this time. After your dentures settle in, you can start having regular solid food.
Do dentures ever feel normal?
Initially, you will feel weird wearing dentures. But, after a while, your mouth will become adjusted to it. So, you won’t feel strange anymore. It might take a month to become accustomed to dentures fully. The adjustment period still varies from person to person.
Conclusion
The bottom line is, don’t contemplate whether you should get new dentures; just go and do it! Getting dentures is absolutely worth it.
If you are still not convinced, then hear us out. We know how troublesome the initial period is. That is why we listed down the challenges of getting dentures. The most challenging part is the wait for transitioning to solid food. “How long till you can eat solid food after getting dentures?”- this is the most frequently asked question. Well, now you know the answer. It’s almost like how long till you can eat solid food after getting wisdom teeth.
After 2-3 weeks, your mouth will become accustomed to chewing with new dentures. So, the transition to solid food will go smoothly. The wait might seem like forever but trust the process. You will be back to your routine in no time! Lastly, make sure not to miss any of your dental appointments.
