Dentures can provide those with substandard teeth a second chance. It will improve their appearance, and provides them confidence they may have been lacking before. However, there is a big downside to having dentures. Dentures are often made of porcelain or plastic, which any Spokane dentist will tell you are not as strong as normal teeth. This can make crunchy foods hard to eat. Taking certain foods out of your diet like that can cause malnutrition. Considering dentures are meant to better your lifestyle, being malnourished is counterproductive. Here are some things to keep in mind if you have dentures.
What Not To Do:
Some denture users may avoid eating crunchy foods like fruit and vegetables because it may damage them. Since they can both be fragile and expensive, they may avoid consuming these foods, therefore depriving themselves of vital nutrients. From there they may start eating food that is easier to chew and swallow, which may not be very nutritious food. Some may even go as far as skipping meals. This can lead to all kinds of health problems down the road.
What to Do:
Vegetables like broccoli and carrots are packed with nutrients, but they can be hard for denture wearers to eat. If you steam them, they will not only taste great, but will be nice and soft. There are vegetable soups packed with nutrients, and soft, ready to eat vegetables. As for other foods, there are soft alternatives out there, like applesauce. Even if fruits and vegetables aren’t your thing, you can take vitamin supplements to ensure your body is getting the right intake. These are just a few ideas. Your local Spokane dentist will be able to give you even more tips on how to avoid malnutrition.
Food is a vital part of our existence, and being malnourished can seriously affect your quality of life. A poor diet can be a slippery slope that can lead to serious health issues, and dentures should not be the cause of this. While there may be some foods to avoid for fear of damage to your new teeth, there are alternatives to consider before making poor decisions with your diet. Speak to your Spokane dentist today, and he can tell you how to live a healthy lifestyle with dentures. You will be glad you did.