Toothaches: Cause, Remedies and Long-term Solutions

Posted on: 10 June 2015

It can feel slightly odd when you put dentures in your mouth for the first time. You're certainly aware of the fact that they're there, but this feeling passes very quickly. You also become aware that you're able to eat foods that were previously off-limits, and this is a wonderful feeling. Dentistry has evolved to the point where you quickly forget that you're actually wearing dentures, and you might only think of them when it's time to take them out at night.

While you can eat a wide range of food with dentures, it's important to remember that you're still wearing a detachable prosthetic device, and so it's not as though you can comfortably eat anything you might want. So what are some of the types of food that aren't such a good idea to eat while wearing dentures?

Coffee and Tea

Technically you should be able to enjoy coffee and tea even if you had no teeth at all, but special care must be taken if you wear dentures. It's important to remember that dentures can become stained more quickly than regular teeth, and regular consumption of coffee, tea, and even red wine can cause your dentures to become discoloured rather quickly.

What to Do: You can still enjoy your caffeine hit (or your wine), but you should always rinse your mouth with water when you've finished, which will remove the staining agents in these beverages before they have a chance to take hold.

Popcorn

When dried corn kernels are popped, a piece of that dried kernel remains. This is the hard, yellowish portion of a piece of popcorn, and it can very easily become stuck in your teeth. Popcorn is not great for those who wear dentures, since these tiny pieces of corn kernel can actually become trapped under the denture, causing discomfort. It's not always possible to remove your dentures, rinse, and then reapply adhesive, but this is an option if you want to enjoy popcorn at home.

What to Do: If you want a salty snack while out and about, choose a soft nut like a cashew. When chewed, the remnants of the nuts turn into a mushy paste, as opposed to hard-edged fragments. You should still rinse your mouth afterwards, but you won't actually need to remove your dentures.

Meat

You might be looking forward to enjoying a steak now that you have your new dentures. You can certainly do so, but you need to be careful. The vigorous chewing needed to break down large portions of red meat, such as steak or a pork fillet, can put unnecessary pressure on your dentures. This pressure can loosen the dentures, or even cause pain as they rub against your gums.

What to Do: Simply cut your meat into small portions before putting it in your mouth, which means that minimal chewing is needed before you swallow. Soft white meats, such as chicken, are also a good alternative.

While your dentures can feel just like natural teeth, it's important to remember that they're not. By taking a little extra care with them, you'll be able to enjoy all the food you once did just so long as you're careful. Contact a company like Now Dental if you have more questions about your braces.