The temperature is dropping, the leaves are changing colors, and October is officially here. Do you know what that means? The holiday season is right around the corner! From Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas, there is plenty of good food to look forward to during this time of the year. While enjoying delicious treats and meals with loved ones, the last thing on your mind is probably your dentures. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of what you eat as certain foods can damage your teeth and cost you a trip to your dentist. With that in mind, here are some holiday foods you should avoid.
Hard Candy
After trick-or-treating on Halloween night, most families spend their time sorting through bags of free candy, picking out and munching on their favorite ones. While looking through your stockpile of treats, it’s a good idea to get rid of any hard candy like lollipops or jawbreakers. If you wear dentures, biting down on hard candy can easily damage or break them. Protect your teeth and stick to dark chocolate or sugar-free gum instead!
Sticky, Chewy, Gummy Foods
Holiday favorites like caramel, peanut brittle, toffee, and marshmallows are certainly tasty, but they can be hard to chew. While eating these, you risk loosening the suction between your denture and gums. And if food particles get stuck underneath your dentures, it can cause bacteria buildup and lead to sore, irritated gum tissue.
Tough Meats
Who doesn’t love a good steak? Unfortunately, chewing tough meats can put unnecessary stress on your dentures and possibly dislodge them. It can also create sore spots on your gums. That said, you may want to pass on pork chops or beef jerky this holiday season.
Nuts
Nuts are a delicious, healthy snack. However, biting them can not only damage your dentures but cause pain as well. Pieces can get stuck under the palate of your dentures and prevent them from fitting properly. To protect your dentures and gums, consider eating softer foods like olives instead.
Popcorn
Although popcorn itself doesn’t pose a threat to your oral health, unpopped kernels can be a problem. They can get stuck in your teeth or under your dentures, which can be very painful. Biting hard kernels can also crack or compromise the function of your dentures.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Everyone knows that fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent foods for your oral and overall health. However, biting into crunchy foods like apples, carrots, or celery can be difficult for denture wearers. Since they require significant biting power, eating them can cause your dentures to shift and become loose. Therefore, if you’d like to enjoy a crunchy fruit or veggie, you should slice or puree them before eating.
Don’t forget to take care of your dentures this holiday season. By avoiding the foods outlined above, you can ensure your new smile remains in excellent condition for years to come!
About the Author
Dr. Wendy Winarick is passionate about helping her patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health. Since graduating from the University of Texas School of Dentistry-Houston, she has attended multiple continuing education courses each year to grow and refine her skill set. Dr. Winarick and her team enjoy educating patients to help them make confident and informed decisions for their smiles. To learn more about which foods to avoid while wearing dentures, visit our website or call (254) 772-1827.