How to eat with dentures and braces for the first time? What are the tips to avoid damaging your dentures and braces and hurting yourself? What are the foods to avoid with new dentures and braces? And finally, how do you adapt to your new dentures and braces?
I. What Are Dentures and Braces?
Dentures and braces are a mechanism installed inside the mouth to compensate for a dental dysfunction.
Braces are used to replace missing teeth or to correct dental alignment.
Depending on the type of problem, braces can be partial or complete. There are many types of braces: dentures, or braces on the roof of the mouth, also called false palates.
The latter is used to correct small dental defects, especially in young patients.
II. How to Eat with Dentures and Braces for the First Time?
1. Small Bites:
Eating in small bites makes it easier to eat when you have braces.
Braces make it difficult to eat in handfuls, so consider cutting up food to eat in small pieces.
2. Soft Foods:
Soft foods are recommended if you have braces. Their texture will prevent you from damaging a ring for example.
So think about eating fruits like bananas, products like yogurt or dishes like compotes.
Spaghetti or pasta lovers can let loose.
3. Slow Down:
Wearing braces requires you to be more careful about how you eat. If you have braces, it is recommended that you eat more slowly.
Slow down when you eat and take time to chew the food.
Also, taking time to chew is better for digestion.
4. Chew with the Side of Your Mouth:
Using your side teeth instead of your front teeth protects your braces.
Crunching with the side of your mouth is best for the first few weeks after you get your braces.
During this time, your front teeth may be too sensitive to use.
III. Foods to Avoid with New Dentures and Braces
1. Chewing Gum:
It is not very advisable to consume chewing gum if you have dentures.
Particularly sticky foods can get stuck in the braces and stay there.
When you have dentures and braces, it can be challenging to get some of the residues out, especially braces.
2. Red Meat:
When eating red meat, be careful if you have braces. The fibers in this food could dislodge the wires of your braces.
Cut meat into small pieces, and choose well-cooked meat.
Also, avoid grating bones. This could put your braces at risk.
3. Fresh Bread:
Because it is crusty, fresh bread can be dangerous to your braces.
In general, foods that require the use of your front teeth to bite are prohibited if you have braces.
If you want to eat bread, choose soft bread, which is softer and less damaging to your braces.
4. Raw Vegetables:
As with fresh bread, raw vegetables are not ideal when wearing braces.
With a palatal retractor, for example, children should avoid raw foods.
This may include vegetables such as carrots or fruits such as apples. Always choose softer products.
5. Sweet and Sticky Foods:
Sweet and sticky foods can cause damage to your braces.
Candy, caramels, or licorice are all risks of cavities. But in addition, if you have braces, sugary foods can even loosen them.
6. Salads:
Salads contain fiber. That’s why there is a risk of eating them if you have braces. Pieces of salad can stick to your braces. Dental hygiene is more difficult when you have braces, so be careful with salads.
7. Cold or Hot Foods:
Cold foods are recommended if you feel pain after getting your braces.
Hot foods, on the other hand, are dangerous, especially because they can cause inflammation.
8. Foods that Contain Fiber:
Fibers can easily get stuck in your teeth. Without braces and with good hygiene, you can get rid of these residues.
But with braces, and even more so with braces on the roof of your mouth, the risk of fiber getting stuck is very high.
Therefore, avoid eating fibrous cheeses like Mozzarella.
IV. Recommended Foods to Eat with Dentures and Braces
If you wear dentures or braces, it is advisable to prefer soft foods.
Yogurt, compotes, bananas, steamed foods, or boiled eggs are the perfect products when wearing dentures or braces.
This is especially true during the first few weeks, but even after that, you should pay attention to your diet.
Good oral hygiene is necessary, preferably with the use of dental floss.
V. Do I Have to Remove the Elastics from the Braces to Eat?
Yes, you should indeed remove your elastics at mealtime.
You should also remove them while brushing your teeth, and then replace them with new elastics.
VI. Can I Eat Chocolate with Dentures and Braces?
You should avoid crunchy chocolate if you have dentures or braces. However, you can let the chocolate melt in your mouth.
But even this method may not be practical if you wear a palatal retractor.
VII. Can You Eat Chewing Gum with Braces?
Avoid eating chewing gum or other gums if you have dentures.
Sticky products can stay on the appliance and distort it. Because brushing your teeth is more complicated with dentures and braces, chewing gum is a hazard to them.
VIII. Can I Eat with Wax on my Dentures?
Do not eat with orthodontic wax on your dentures. Orthodontic wax is used for relief in case your braces cause discomfort. If you have any, remove them before eating. You can put it back on afterward.
IX. Other Questions About Eating with Dentures on the palate
1. How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Having Dentures and Braces?
Generally, you will need a few days to fully adjust to wearing your braces.
Now, you have to understand that this depends on the case. But if after weeks you are still suffering from your braces, go back to the orthodontist.
2. How to Eat a Hamburger with Dentures and Braces?
Cut the hamburger into small pieces if you have braces.
Chew as slowly and as long as possible. If you can, cut up the different parts of the burger for ease.
3. Why Do Dentures and Braces Hurt When I Eat for the First Few Days?
Rings are painful the first few days because your mouth has to get used to having a foreign body in it.
It is this newness that causes discomfort.
So if your dentures hurt after several days, go back to your orthodontist to have them checked.
4. Can You Eat Chips with Dentures and Braces?
It is not recommended to eat crunchy foods when you have braces.
But if you want to, be careful and don’t eat several chips at the same time.
Also, avoid crunching with your front teeth and chew for a long time.
5. Can You Sleep with Dentures?
Sleeping with dentures is not a good idea. Dentures tire the jaw, and during the night, bacterial growth can occur.
It is better to keep your dentures overnight in a special box that will keep them moist and bacteria-free.
6. How to Eat with a Palate Spreader?
A child who has just had a palate retractor may wonder how to eat for the first few days.
With a palate retractor, you eat normally. Only after the meal is finished, the device is removed and rinsed before being put back on.
Useful Links:
Jaw Bone Coming Through Gum After Tooth Extraction, What to Do?
How Long Should a Dental Bridge Last (Lifespan)?