How to Eat With Dentures Without Embarrassment

Frustrated when Eating with Dentures? There is hope!

Let’s be real – eating with dentures isn’t something you “get used to” overnight. That first bite with your new teeth is going to feel strange. Things taste weird and food moves differently in your mouth. You might feel like your tongue is in the way…and yes, you may worry that someone is going to notice.

But here’s the truth: every denture wearer has been there, and the only way to get better at eating with dentures is to practice and have patience. You’ve got to retrain your mouth, like learning to walk in new shoes. It’s awkward at first, but it gets easier with time and practice. Before you know it, you will be surprised how much your confidence grows once you figure out eating with dentures.

**Eating with dentures can be hard, but there is hope!**

What to Expect When You First Start Eating with Dentures

Honesty is the best policy, so we are going to give you the hard truth: Eating is one of the most common complaints about dentures. In fact, in many studies, eating, chewing ability, and bite strength are the top grievances about dentures.

When eating with dentures, here are some things you may notice:

You feel like your dentures are moving around when eating
You cannot generate as much bite force when eating
Food takes longer to chew when eating
Eating on one side of your mouth dislodges your dentures
Your mouth produces more saliva when eating
Eating hard or fibrous foods is more difficult
It is hard to gauge the temperature of foods when eating
Certain foods stick to your dentures when eating

Learning to eat with dentures is a frustrating process. In fact, in many books written by patients about their denture journey, learning to eat is often the major focus. The important thing to remember is that every denture patient has gone through this process, so you are not alone.

Why is Eating with Dentures Difficult?

Here is something to think about. You had your natural teeth for a long time and the muscles of your mouth, including your lips, tongue, and cheeks, developed muscle memory for the way your pearly whites fit together when they chewed food. With dentures, your natural teeth are removed and replaced with large pieces of plastic that feel foreign to your mouth.

On your first few attempts at eating with dentures, your mouth is going to be confused. The muscles in your mouth still have muscle memory regarding your old natural teeth, so that is how they are going to function. Now let’s face it…matter how well your dentures are made, they are not going to be like your natural teeth. When you try to chew with your new dentures your mouth muscles are going to do what they are accustomed to, but your dentures are going to do something entirely different.

Reduced Bite Strength

One of the first things people notice about eating with dentures is a dramatic reduction in the force of their bite. Studies show bite force with denture can be as low as 90% less than your natural teeth when eating. Wow! After 6 months of eating with new dentures, this reduced bite force will increase anywhere from 17-39%. While this is an improvement, it is still nowhere near the bite strength you had with natural teeth.

More Chewing and Longer Eating Times

Because bite forces are significantly reduced when eating with dentures, you may find that it takes much longer for you chew your food. In fact, studies show that denture wearers require up to 7x more chewing strokes to break down food compared to people who have natural teeth. More chewing means longer eating times. Because of this, the days of quickly “scarfing down” a quick meal are over once you have dentures.

Different Chewing Strokes

When people have nature teeth, their chewing strokes (the way your jaw moves up and down when you eat) are similar to a teardrop. The mouth moves slightly to the side when chewing and most people tend to favor one side of the mouth over the other when eating. Unfortunately, this type of chewing doesn’t work too well when eating with dentures.

In order for dentures to remain stable, they require a chewing stroke that is very straight up and down. Think about how Pac-Man^TM gobbles up dots and you will get the picture. This feels very strange to new denture wearers and takes quite some time getting used to. If you chew in a teardrop fashion like your natural teeth, your dentures will tend to rock or dislodge. When you bite on the left side of your denture, the right side will lift away from the gums. If you bite on the front, the back of your denture will pop off. This can become very frustrating!

Smaller Bites

Because of the reduced bite force and Pac-Man^TM like chewing pattern needed when eating with dentures, people tend to take smaller bites of food. Smaller bites means that certain foods which require you to open wide may be difficult to eat. As such, many denture wearers cut their food into small pieces when eating.

Developing New Muscle Memory

When eating with dentures, the muscles of your mouth will initially function the way that they did when you had natural teeth. These muscle movements will often dislodge your denture and may even cause you to bite your tongue, cheeks, or lips. As you continue to eat with your new dentures, your mouth will develop new muscle memory as your tongue, cheeks, and lips begin to work together to stabilize your prostheses.

Best Foods to Start With

If you just received a new pair of dentures, now is not the time to test your limits. Forget steak, chips, or anything that crunches. You need food that goes down easy, doesn’t stress your gums, and won’t knock your denture loose.

Soft and easy to chew. That’s the formula for starters.

When eating with dentures for the first time, especially if they are immediately delivered following tooth removal, stick to foods that require little to no chewing during the first few weeks. This will provide you the nutrition you need while allowing you time to adjust to your new dentures.

Good foods to start with:

Mashed potatoes
Scrambled eggs
Applesauce
Yogurt
Pudding
Oatmeal
Porridge
Cottage cheese
Guacamole
Steamed or boiled vegetables
Soft fish (like tilapia or salmon)
Soft-cooked pasta or rice
Soups (non-chunky)
Hummus
Ice cream

**Foods such as oatmeal are easy to eat for new denture wearers.**

Cut everything into small pieces, even if it’s soft. The smaller the bite, the more control you have. Chew slowly. And chew on both sides at once to keep your denture balanced.

Because your dentures are large pieces of plastic that are covering tissues in your mouth, it may take additional time to recognize the temperature of food. As a matter of fact, published studies have shown that denture wearers take longer to recognize extremes in temperature when eating food. As such, it is recommended to avoid extremely hot foods when eating with dentures to avoid burns and thermal damage to the tissues of your mouth.

Allow yourself more time to eat. Your dentures are new, and eating will be a challenge. Rushing through a meal will not only be frustrating, but it can also be painful if you recently had teeth removed. Relax. Take your time. This is not a race.

When you are new to eating with dentures:

Stick to soft, warm, easy-to-chew foods for the first few weeks
Cut everything small, and chew with both sides of your mouth
Avoid anything too hot or too cold
Build confidence with softer foods you already like
As you get more comfortable, slowly add texture and variety
Don’t be afraid to try something new

Techniques to Improve Chewing and Bite Control when Eating with Dentures

Eating with dentures is not the same as eating with natural teeth. If you try to chew the way you once did, you will end up frustrated – or worse, with sore spots and loose dentures.

You have to retrain your bite. That means new habits, a little patience, and learning how to use your whole mouth to your advantage.

Try these techniques when eating with dentures:

1. Chew on both sides at the same time.
This is a big one and takes time to master. Chewing evenly helps keep your denture stable. If you chew on just one side, the denture can rock or lift off the gums.

2. Take small bites.
Cut food into smaller pieces than you’re used to. Smaller bites are easier to control and less likely to knock your denture loose.

3. Chew slowly and mindfully.
Don’t rush it. Fast chewing increases your chances of biting your cheek or tongue. Focus on how the denture feels and adjust as needed.

4. Don’t bite with your front teeth.
It might feel unnatural to not bite into something with your front teeth, but doing so will cause the back of the denture to pop up. Instead, cut your food into pieces and use a fork to place them towards the back of your mouth when eating with dentures.

5. Keep your tongue in the game.
Your tongue helps guide food to your molars and stabilizes your lower denture. The more you practice, the more your tongue will learn to help!

The key to remember when eating with dentures is to practice and have patience! Studies show that it can take up to 6 months for patients to adapt to eating with a new set of dentures.

Foods to Avoid

You might be craving your old favorites, but some foods are just plain risky when you are new to eating with dentures. The wrong bite can rock your denture loose, crack the base, or leave your gums irritated and sore.

Skip these foods for now:

Hard Foods

Raw hard fruits and vegetables
Artisan breads with hard crusts
Nuts
Croutons
Hard candy

These are tough to chew, can irritate healing gums, and may cause the denture to rock or crack.

**Hard foods such as apples should be avoided when new to eating with dentures.**

Sticky Foods

Chewing gum
Caramel
Taffy
Gummy candy

Sticky foods can pull your denture loose. They also leave behind residue that can be difficult to clean from denture surfaces.

Crunchy Foods

Popcorn
Chips
Crackers
Toast

These break into jagged pieces that can wedge under your denture and cause pain or irritation, especially during the early healing phase after tooth extraction.

Tough meats

Steak
Beef Jerky
Ribs

These require too much bite force early on and often get stuck under the denture or between the gum and base. Don’t worry, after a bit more time when you are used to eating with dentures, you will be able to enjoy steak again!

Seeds and Small Grains

Poppy seeds
Sesame seeds
Chia seeds
Seeds on buns

These can get trapped under the denture and feel like chewing on gravel.

Bottom line:

Skip hard, sticky, and crunchy foods during the early stages
Anything that can damage or dislodge your denture isn’t worth it
As you get more confident and your fit improves, you may reintroduce some of these foods to your diet

Eating with Dentures: Restaurant Strategy

Your first time eating with dentures at a restaurant, your brain may be running a mile a minute. “What if my denture slips?” “What if I can’t chew this?” “What if I embarrass myself?” This can be an anxiety inducing process, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Relax. Everyone starts somewhere. Here’s how to handle restaurants with confidence:

Choose your meal wisely when eating with dentures:

If you know the restaurant where you are going to eat, research the menu ahead of time and pick foods you know you can handle.
If you have recently had teeth pulled, or have a new set of dentures, stick to foods that are soft and easy to chew such as bisques, soups, hummus, guacamole, eggs, mashed potatoes, cooked fish, etc.
If you have had dentures for a while and are more confident eating with them, consider dishes such as pastas, fish, steamed vegetables, soft breads, and slow cooked meats such as ossobuco.
Skip the salads, sandwiches, and crunchy sides for now. Save those for when you’ve practiced more at home.
Avoid foods you have to bite into directly – like burgers, tacos, or anything with a hard shell or crust.

Manage the environment when eating with dentures:

Pick a familiar restaurant where you are comfortable.
Sit in a chair that is close to the restroom. This will make it easier in the event that you need to excuse yourself to adjust your denture.
Eat slower than usual, and don’t feel pressured to finish everything.
If anyone asks why you did not finish all of your meal, tell them you are saving room for dessert!

Confidence tips:

Go with a supportive friend or family member your first time out.
Consider using adhesive to keep your dentures secure and stable during your meal. Studies show that adhesives strengthen bite force, reduce denture movement, limit food impaction, and improve self-confidence.

Click here for more information about denture adhesives.

The takeaway:
Start simple, prepare ahead, and don’t push your limits on a first outing. The more you eat out, the more natural it will feel eating with dentures in public.

Dealing With Self-Consciousness and Embarrassment when Dining with Dentures

Let’s not sugar coat things…eating with dentures can feel awkward, especially when you are around other people. You might worry they will notice the way you chew, the food your order, or that your denture might slip. That kind of anxiety can quickly kill your appetite!

One comforting thing to remember is that you are not alone. Almost every new denture wearer feels this way and the only way through it is to practice until it stops feeling new.

Start at home. Chew food in front of the mirror. Watch how your mouth moves. Get used to how your denture feels when you chew, swallow, or sip water. Do it enough and eating with dentures stops feeling like a performance and starts feeling like a routine.

When you are ready to eat around others, start with people you trust such as family and close friends who know your situation…people who won’t flinch if your denture comes loose or you need a moment to chew something twice.

When eating with dentures in public, stick to familiar foods that are easy to manage. Consider using adhesive to keep your denture stable and secure.

Carry a mirror. Check your smile afterward. Pop into the restroom if something feels off. Confidence isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being prepared.

Real talk:

Everyone feels weird when first chewing with dentures
Practice alone and with trusted people before going public
Choose soft, familiar foods when dining out
Keep a small mirror handy for peace of mind
Confidence builds with repetition

FAQs

Can I ever have steak or crunchy foods again?
Yes, but not right away. Once your mouth adapts and your dentures are adjusted properly, you can reintroduce tougher foods in small amounts. Steak, apples, and other challenging foods are possible when eating with dentures, but you will need practice, patience, and sometimes a dab of adhesive. Ask your dentist before diving back into anything that requires serious bite force.

How long does it take to get used to chewing with my dentures?
Published studies show that it can take up to 6 months to adjust to eating with dentures. Ultimately, there is no exact timeline. Remember, the more you practice the faster you will adjust to your dentures.

What if my dentures keep slipping when I eat?
Start with small bites and chew evenly on both sides. Remember, eat like Pac-Man^TM with a straight up and down chewing motion. If your dentures still move around, it might need an adjustment or a soft reline. That’s normal in the first few months. Don’t just “deal with it.” Let your dentist help.

Can I use adhesive right away?
If you have immediate dentures, your dentist may tell you to wait a few days before using adhesive to avoid material seeping into your extraction sockets. Once you’re cleared after healing, adhesive can help with stability and confidence while you get used to chewing food with your dentures.

Final Thoughts: Be Patient With Yourself

Eating with dentures is a learned skill. It’s not instant, and it’s not perfect – but it gets better. Every meal is practice. Every bite builds confidence.

Some days it will feel awkward. Some foods won’t cooperate. You might even get frustrated and want to give up. Don’t. Things will get better!

Stick with soft foods at first. Take small bites. Practice chewing slowly. And most importantly, give yourself time.

You’ve already taken the hardest step – getting dentures. Now it’s about learning how to live with them. You’ll get there.

Supporting Literature

Curious about how dentures affect chewing, swallowing, and daily eating habits? These clinical studies and academic resources back up the guidance in this article regarding chewing food with dentures:

Frustrated when Eating with Dentures? There is hope!

What to Expect When You First Start Eating with Dentures