5 Holiday Foods That Denture-Wearers Need to Avoid

For many people, one of the biggest highlights of the holiday season is all the delicious food. However, if you have dentures, you need to be cautious. While dentures are an excellent way to replace multiple missing teeth, there are many foods that they tend to have trouble handling. Below are 5 examples of holiday foods that denture-wearers are better off staying away from.

1. Hard Candy

As sweet as candy canes and other hard candies are, they can be highly problematic for people with dentures. Trying to bite down on such sweets could damage your prosthesis and might even break it. If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth while also protecting your dentures, you should opt for softer treats such as dark chocolate.

2. Sticky and Chewy Foods

Plenty of sticky and chewy treats such as marshmallows, peanut brittle, and caramel are popular around the holidays. These types of foods could end up pulling your dentures off of your gums while you’re trying to chew them. On top of that, many sticky foods are high in sugar and have a tendency to adhere to dentures, which can make them a prime target for the harmful oral bacteria that can cause gum disease.

3. Tough Meats

There are all kinds of meats that might be served as the main course of a big holiday meal. Unfortunately, particularly tough meats such as steak can be difficult to chew with dentures, and attempting to do so may result in sore gums. It’s therefore better to choose more tender cuts of meat whenever possible. Additionally, you should always cut your meat into small, bite-sized pieces that are easier to handle.

4. Hard Nuts and Popcorn

Nuts are a popular snack around the holiday season, and plenty of people enjoy munching on popcorn when watching Christmas movies and specials. However, chewing on these types of foods can cause serious damage to your dentures. On top of that, small pieces could get stuck under your prosthesis and cause serious discomfort. It’s better to search for softer snack options that are less likely to cause problems for your replacement teeth.

5. Hard Fruits and Vegetables

When you think of healthy foods to serve alongside a holiday meal, fruits and vegetables jump immediately to mind. That being said, certain hard fruits and vegetables such as apples and carrots can be difficult to chew with dentures and may even damage your artificial teeth. However, you can still enjoy carrots that have been cooked as well as apples that have been turned into applesauce.

Be mindful of what you’re eating this holiday season. By staying away from the foods listed above, you’ll be able to keep your dentures safe, ensuring that they’ll continue to serve you well into the new year!

About the Author

Dr. Jeffrey R. DeMartino has more than 30 years of dental experience. He graduated from the Fairleigh S. Dickinson School of Dental Medicine, and he has been named one of the “Top Dentists in America” by the Consumer’s Research Council of America. At his Phillipsburg practice, DeMartino Dental Group, he provides full and partial dentures as a solution for missing teeth. To schedule a consultation with Dr. DeMartino, visit his website or call (908) 859-5260.