Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for tooth loss because they can restore your smile’s appearance and functionality regardless of how many natural teeth you have remaining.
Whether you require a full or partial set, wearing your restoration can improve your daily quality of life by boosting your confidence and enhancing your ability to speak and eat normally. However, many patients wonder whether their new teeth will negatively affect their nutrition. Continue reading to learn more about it!
Do Dentures Improve My Bite Force?
Gaps in your grin can make once-basic tasks, like biting and chewing food, much more challenging. You rely on two complete arches to grind your meals sufficiently enough to be easily swallowed and digested.
Your dentures can help because they close the spaces in your smile and function as artificial teeth, so you can enjoy a wider variety of wholesome ingredients to support your oral and overall health. However, these restorations do not restore the full strength of your original chewing power.
How Do Dentures Affect Nutrition?
You might assume that wearing your teeth will surely improve your nutrition and health, but that’s not always the case. For example, in a study published in 2022, researchers examined the medical records of more than 10,000 people in Indiana to compare their dental health to their laboratory tests, which included markers for malnutrition.
The test results from two years before a patient received dentures were compared with the outcome two years after wearing their restoration, revealing surprising information. It was discovered that those wearing artificial teeth experienced a significant decline in certain nutritional markers.
How Can I Improve Nutrition with Dentures?
Some patients struggle to eat wholesome foods with their restoration in place because it can be challenging to bite and chew while ensuring they remain firmly anchored to your connective tissues. The following tips might improve your ability to eat healthier foods to support your system:
- Chew conscientiously. Making an effort to chew with both sides of your mouth evenly can help you avoid dislodging your dentures.
- Cut food into small pieces. Smaller bites are generally easier to grind and swallow than overly large ones.
- Enjoy a beverage with meals. Having a glass of water or other liquid while eating helps keep your mouth moist to ease digestion.
- Stick to softer foods. If your gums feel tender or irritated, you can stick to softer options that don’t require as much biting or chewing, such as scrambled eggs, blended smoothies, applesauce, yogurt, and mashed potatoes.
If you’re seeking a more reliable solution that might enhance your diet, you can ask your dentist if you’re a good candidate for implant dentures, which are considered a more permanent and reliable solution for tooth loss!
About the Practice
Patients at Glastonbury Dental Care benefit from a husband-and-wife dental team eager to help families build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Mimansha and Dr. Shobhit collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of services, including replacing missing teeth, to meet all your needs conveniently under one roof. Their compassionate approach is combined with advanced technology to help you feel comfortable while they deliver accurate treatment results intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (860) 659-0278.