One of the biggest things that is missing when people lose teeth is the ability to eat good food. Chewing with even one less tooth can be difficult, and people missing several might need to make serious changes to their diet. That can be a serious problem, as not being able to eat properly can lead to some serious imbalances in nutrition.
When people get dentures, their smile may look a lot like it used to when they had all their teeth, but their relationship to nutrition will probably be a lot different. If you want to learn a little bit more about dentures’ complicated relationship with food, here’s a guide that may be able to offer you a little bit of useful information.
How Do Dentures Affect Nutrition?
A recent study published in the Journal of Prosthodontics decided to measure the precise impact that dentures had on a patient’s nutrient intake. When compared to patients who did not have dentures, it was found that people with them had notable deficits in blood protein and calcium levels in comparison.
Removable dentures aren’t affixed to anything, which means that they aren’t that effective at chewing up rougher foods. Crunchy vegetables, for example, may be hard for denture patients to grind up properly.
Chewing is the first step in the digestive process, and not doing it properly may mean that you aren’t getting the full value from your meals. If this study is to be believed, that seems to be the case for dentures.
What Should Denture Patients Do to Get the Nutrients They Need?
It may be necessary for denture patients to get a little creative to have a balanced diet. This may involve eating softer foods or supplementing their diet with smoothies. They may also want to take vitamins to ensure that they’re getting everything they need to stay healthy.
Denture patients may even want to consult a nutrition specialist to help them form a balanced diet plan. Given how important good nutrition is to how you feel day-to-day, it may be worth the investment.
Your new dentures will be able to help you look your best. By thinking a little bit about your nutrition, you can ensure that you’ll feel your best as well.
About the Author
Dr. Craig Harder has been working as a dentist for over 20 years, and after all that time, his enthusiasm for his field hasn’t waned in the slightest. He is as committed to providing his patients with truly excellent dental care as ever. Dr. Harder attended dental school at Creighton University, and he has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education since graduating.
If you have any questions about how dentures can affect your eating habits, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (509) 765-4351.