Thanksgiving is as famous for the sentiment as it is for the delicious food. But if you’ve got full or partial dentures, some of those traditional dishes could put them at risk. This holiday season, avoid denture danger and skip these sides for the health of your restorations!
Denture Dangers
While your dentures allow you to eat a variety of foods you may not otherwise be able to enjoy if you are missing teeth, there are still some foods you should avoid if you wear them. Here are a few that are notorious for causing excessive damage.
- Sticky foods, including marshmallows, caramel, taffy, and cranberry sauce
- Hard or crunchy foods such as candy canes, ribbon candy, nuts (or foods that contain nuts) raw veggies, hard fruits like apples or pears
- Corn on the cob
- Tough meats or jerky
- Popcorn
Friendly Foods
Thankfully, there are still many foods you can enjoy with your dentures. These include:
- Steamed or roasted vegetables like carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts and green bean casserole
- Smooth soups, stews, and broths
- Tender meats like turkey and chicken breast
- Mashed or regular potatoes (any kind)
- Salmon or other soft fish
- Pasta or rice
Other Helpful Holiday Tips
In addition to avoiding eating foods that may cause harm to your dentures, be sure to stick to your regular care routine. Remove your prosthetics to clean them at least twice a day and be careful to brush all sides and floss them before rinsing well. No matter how tired you are, be sure to take them out each night and store them in a glass of water or denture soak, and finally, don’t use them as tools or to open packaging or stubborn gift wrap!
Remember, the holidays are a time of celebration, but they can quickly turn problematic if you damage your dentures. To avoid costly repairs, be sure to watch what you eat and take proper care of them, so they last long and allow you to enjoy a variety of meals, snacks, and smiles all season long!
About Dr. Hegazi
Dr. Mohamed Hegazi was inspired to be a dentist by his father, who suggested his young son might enjoy it. Today, over two decades later, Dr. Hegazi’s dad was right, and he’s been happily helping Hingham patients smile for many years. If you wear dentures, navigating the foods you should and should not eat with them can sometimes be confusing, but Dr. Hegazi and the team at Admired Smiles Dental Center are here to help. If you have any questions about proper use, if yours need repairs, or if it’s time for a new set, please visit our website or call us at 781-749-3030 to schedule a consultation.