Modern dentures are a comfortable and natural-looking way to replace lost teeth, but recent research has shown that they can sometimes impede the wearer’s ability to eat properly. Read on to learn more about why dentures can make good nutrition more difficult and a solution to get the nutrients you need.
Dentures Change How You Chew
With a traditional set of dentures, the upper denture holds its place using suction on the roof of the mouth while the lower one is held by the muscle control of the wearer. Many people use adhesive to help keep them in place. Despite this, dentures cannot replicate the chewing efficiency of natural teeth. This can alter the eating habits of the wearer.
Because they work better when grinding rather than tearing, the chewing action of dentures is more like that of an herbivorous animal than that of a carnivorous one. People with dentures often find they cannot have chewier meats because their artificial teeth cannot tear up the fibrous tissue. Some also find that foods containing starch like potatoes or bread can dislodge their dentures during the chewing process.
Changing How You Chew Changes Your Nutrition
Since chewing is the first step of the digestive process, it can make the difference between good and poor absorption of the nutrients in food. If a bite of food is not adequately ground up, the chemical agents of digestion cannot break it down as effectively.
Because eating with dentures can be difficult, a patient wearing them might either not process food as thoroughly as they should or give up various nutritious foods altogether because they are too hard to chew. Researchers have found that over two years people with dentures experienced a significant decrease in nutrition markers while people without them did not.
How Implant Dentures Can Help
Implant dentures have a superior hold in the mouth when compared to their traditional counterparts. They are held in place with titanium posts implanted in the jawbone. These posts interlock with the dentures, securing them in place and allowing for much more efficient chewing. This can make eating a nutritional diet easier for the wearer.
Good nutrition is absolutely essential for good health. While traditional dentures can make chewing tougher foods difficult, implant dentures can restore much of your original chewing force. In addition to looking natural and feeling comfortable, they can help keep you healthy for a lifetime.
About the Author
Dr. Vy Tran earned her dental doctorate from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She continues her education now with courses from the world-renowned Pankey Institute so she can improve her knowledge of comprehensive dentistry. Her practice offers services including preventive, emergency, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, including denture treatments. For more information about getting good nutrition while wearing dentures, contact her online or dial (410) 729-9090.