Losing adult teeth can detract from your daily quality of life in several ways. Many patients feel self-conscious about the changes to their appearance, for example. Others develop a lisp or other changes in their speech patterns or gastrointestinal issues from swallowing insufficiently chewed pieces of food.
Fortunately, your dentist can provide lifelike replacement teeth to rebuild your smile’s appearance and functionality. However, many people wonder how their restoration impacts their nutrition. If you’re considering being fitted with dentures, continue reading to learn more about it!
How Much Bite Force Do Dentures Restore?
Tooth loss can result in changes to your diet that detract from your general health. For instance, you might develop malnutrition if you can’t bite into or chew harder options, like tough cuts of meat or raw fruits and veggies. Furthermore, you could experience an upset stomach or digestive concerns from consuming bites that haven’t been pulverized sufficiently to be easily swallowed and digested.
Dentures rely on a firm suction against the bony ridges in your mouth to remain in place, which restores an estimated 25% of your original bite force so you can enjoy a wider variety of ingredients to support your oral and overall well-being.
How Do Dentures Impact Nutrition?
It’d be easy to assume that your improved bite force naturally results in better nutrition, but that’s not necessarily the case for patients with dentures. One study shared by the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Dentistry revealed information that led to surprising conclusions.
For this project, researchers matched the dental records of over 10k patients in Indiana with medical laboratory data that included specific markers for malnutrition. Then, they compared the lab results from two years before someone received dentures to two years afterward.
Shockingly, they found that those with these restorations showed a significant decline in certain marks over people who didn’t wear prosthetics. It’s believed this is partly because they don’t return enough bite force, so it’s still difficult to bite and chew with them in place.
How Can I Improve My Nutrition with Dentures?
Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your diet with your new teeth, such as:
- Stick to soft foods. You can blend fruits and veggies into smoothies or enjoy eggs, mashed potatoes, soups, and other softer foods to support your system.
- Cut smaller pieces. Slicing your bites into smaller portions makes them more manageable in your mouth.
- Chew carefully. Try to chew slowly and deliberately use both sides of your mouth to avoid dislodging your restoration.
If your prosthetics are notoriously unreliable or ill-fitting, you might benefit from implant dentures that become a permanent part of your smile. Consult your dentist today to find out if you’re a good candidate for the procedure!
Meet the Author
Dr. Robert Whitmore has 35 years of experience helping families improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. He earned his dental doctorate at the Baylor School of Dentistry and is an active board member with Dental Health Arlington, a non-profit that provides routine services to low-income residents. He enjoys establishing lasting relationships with patients so he can quicky customize treatment plans to meet their unique needs, and provides a comprehensive menu of services, including dentures. You can request an appointment on the website or call (817) 468-1212.