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Health & Wellness

Eating with Dentures: How to Maintain a Healthy, Balanced Diet

Adjusting to dentures can feel like stepping into a whole new world—especially when it comes to eating. While dentures restore your smile and improve your ability to chew, they can also change the way you experience food. But do these changes impact your nutrition? Let’s explore how dentures affect your diet and how you can ensure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs.

Adjusting to Eating with Dentures

When you first start wearing dentures, you may notice that some foods taste different or are more challenging to chew. This adjustment period is completely normal, but it can be frustrating and even lead to avoiding certain foods.

Crunchy fruits and vegetables, nuts, and tougher meats can feel difficult to manage, making them easy to skip. However, these foods are often packed with essential vitamins and minerals that are crucial for a balanced diet. So, how can you maintain good nutrition while adjusting to your dentures?

How Dentures Can Affect Nutrition & What to Do About It

If you’re finding it difficult to eat certain foods, you might unintentionally miss out on key nutrients like fiber, protein, and vitamins. The good news? With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy a well-rounded diet without discomfort.

1. Soften Your Fruits and Vegetables
If raw, crunchy veggies are tough to chew, try steaming them to soften their texture while keeping most of their nutrients intact. You can also blend fruits and vegetables into smoothies or purées for an easier way to enjoy their health benefits.

2. Find Protein Alternatives
If chewing meat feels like a challenge, switch to softer protein sources like eggs, tofu, fish, or beans. These options are easier to eat and still provide the protein your body needs. If you love steak, try cutting it into smaller, bite-sized pieces to make it more manageable.

3. Enjoy Nutritious, Denture-Friendly Soups
Soups and stews can be a great way to get nutrients while enjoying softer textures. They’re easy to eat and packed with vitamins and minerals. Just be mindful of the temperature—dentures can make it harder to sense heat, which increases the risk of burning your mouth or warping your prosthetics.

4. Indulge in Dairy for Essential Nutrients
Dairy products like yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk are excellent choices for denture wearers. They’re soft, easy to eat, and provide essential calcium and vitamins to support overall health.

Adapting Over Time

The good news? Over time, most denture wearers adjust and find ways to enjoy a balanced diet. As you become more comfortable, you may even reintroduce some of the foods you initially avoided. Patience and practice are key!

If you’re concerned about how dentures are affecting your nutrition, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist. They can offer advice on improving your chewing efficiency, adjusting your dentures for a better fit, or recommending dietary changes to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.

Eating with Dentures: How to Maintain a Healthy, Balanced Diet2025-03-10T11:49:37-04:00

Common Problems with Dentures and How to Fix Them

Common Problems with Dentures and How to Fix Them

Dentures are a popular solution for replacing missing teeth, helping millions of people regain their smiles and oral function. However, like any dental appliance, dentures can come with challenges that affect comfort, speech, and eating habits. If you’re experiencing issues with your dentures, don’t worry—there are effective solutions available.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable, custom-fitted dental appliances designed to replace missing teeth and restore both aesthetics and functionality. They consist of a gum-colored acrylic base with artificial teeth and are typically secured in place by suction, adhesives, or dental implants.

At Newnan Denture, we utilize advanced technology such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and 3D printing to craft high-quality, precision-fit dentures for optimal comfort and durability.

Types of Dentures and How They Work

Dentures come in two primary forms:

Complete Dentures – Used when all teeth in the upper or lower arch are missing. These rest directly on the gums and are held in place by suction or adhesive.

Partial Dentures – Recommended for individuals missing some but not all teeth. These attach to natural teeth using clasps, restoring function and appearance while preventing remaining teeth from shifting.

Common Denture Problems and Their Solutions

1. Discomfort and Soreness

It’s normal to experience some discomfort when first wearing dentures. However, persistent pain or irritation may indicate a poor fit.
Solution: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to soothe gums. If discomfort persists, consult your dentist for adjustments to improve the fit.

2. Difficulty Speaking

New dentures can temporarily affect speech, making certain words difficult to pronounce.
Solution: Practice speaking slowly and enunciate words clearly. Reading aloud can also help your mouth adjust more quickly.

3. Increased Saliva Production

Your mouth may produce excess saliva as it adjusts to dentures, making speaking and swallowing challenging.
Solution: This issue typically resolves on its own, but staying hydrated and swallowing more frequently can help manage saliva flow.

4. Eating Challenges

Chewing may feel awkward when adjusting to new dentures, and certain foods can be difficult to eat.
Solution: Start with soft foods and cut them into small pieces. Avoid sticky or hard foods like nuts and seeds that can get trapped beneath dentures. Chew evenly on both sides to stabilize them.

5. Denture Slippage

Lower dentures are especially prone to movement while talking, eating, or laughing.
Solution: A denture adhesive can help improve stability. If slippage continues, a professional adjustment may be necessary.

6. Mouth Infections

Poorly fitted or unclean dentures can lead to conditions such as stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth) or oral thrush (a fungal infection).
Solution: Maintain proper denture hygiene by cleaning them daily, removing them at night, and scheduling regular dental checkups.

Alternative Tooth Replacement Options

If you’re struggling with dentures and seeking a more stable solution, Newnan Denture offers alternative treatments, including:

Dental Bridges – A fixed option that replaces missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent natural teeth.

Dental Implants – Titanium posts surgically placed in the jawbone to provide a long-lasting, secure foundation for replacement teeth.

All-on-4 Dental Implants – A revolutionary solution where a full arch of teeth is secured to four strategically placed implants, offering superior stability and function.

Find the Right Solution for You

If you’re experiencing ongoing denture discomfort or dissatisfaction, Newnan Denture is here to help. Our team can assess your situation and recommend the best treatment options for a comfortable, confident smile.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore your tooth replacement solutions!

Common Problems with Dentures and How to Fix Them2025-03-10T11:51:47-04:00

How Dentures Affect Facial Aesthetics, Aging and Communication

How Dentures Affect Facial Aesthetics, Aging and Communication

There are number of factors that contribute how our appearance changes as we age. While changes in skin firmness and tone is a main contributor, tooth loss and dentures also play a significant role in facial aesthetics and the aging process. At Newnan Denture, were dedicated to helping you keep a youthful appearance and a vibrant smile.

How Tooth Loss Affects Facial Aesthetics

Natural teeth offer essential support to the facial muscles. When teeth are lost, the underlying bone can begin to deteriorate, which can lead to changes in our facial structure, such as facial sagging and a sunken look. Without the support of our teeth, our cheeks can appear hollow and less plump. Loss of vertical dimension in the face can lead to deeper wrinkles around the mouth. In addition, if the distance between the nose and chin decreases because of tooth loss, it can give the face a compressed or shortened appearance. Finally, with the loss of teeth and supporting bone structure around the mouth, lips can appear thin and deflated.

  • Supporting Facial Structure: Your teeth are essential for maintaining the structure of your face. They help keep your jawbone and facial muscles properly aligned. When teeth are lost, the jawbone can weaken and deteriorate over time, leading to a sagging, sunken appearance in your face.

  • Cheek Definition: Healthy teeth also play a role in supporting your cheeks, giving them a youthful and full look. Without this support, your cheeks can appear hollow, which can make you look older and more fatigued.

Dentures Can Help Keep You Looking Younger

That’s right! Properly-fitted dentures from Newnan Denture can help maintain the natural shape of the face by supporting the cheeks and lips. This can be particularly beneficial for people who have lost a significant amount of natural teeth, as it helps prevent the face from looking sunken or aged.

Dentures Can Improve Your Quality of Life

Dentures not only improve facial appearance but also play a crucial role in oral health and function. They help restore chewing and speaking abilities, which can greatly enhance your quality of life. For clear speech, a proper denture fit is essential. Ill-fitting dentures can hinder articulation and pronunciation.

When first wearing dentures, it’s common to go through an adjustment period that may affect speech. As the mouth adapts to the prosthetic teeth, speech patterns may change temporarily. However, with time and practice, most individuals adapt seamlessly. Regular dental check-ups are important to ensure that dentures are properly adjusted for optimal speech.

Dentures Can Elevate Your Self-Esteem

The restoration of facial appearance and the ability to speak confidently can profoundly impact self-esteem. Dentures empower individuals to engage socially without worrying about how missing teeth might affect their image or speech.

Types of Dentures

Dentures can be either full (replacing all missing teeth in an arch) or partial (replacing some missing teeth while retaining natural teeth). They are custom-made to fit each individual’s mouth, ensuring comfort and a natural look.

To keep dentures in good condition and ensure they provide the necessary support, proper care and regular dental check-ups are crucial. Denture wearers should follow their dentist’s guidance on cleaning and maintenance to prevent issues like irritation or infection. Consistent cleaning, timely check-ups, and prompt attention to any concerns help prolong the life of dentures and maintain their benefits.

Contact Us

To find out more about our partial and implant dentures, and how our we can help restore your smile, contact us at 770.251.6868 or request a free consultation online.

How Dentures Affect Facial Aesthetics, Aging and Communication2024-08-15T11:08:59-04:00

Why You Should Consider Tooth Replacement at Newnan Denture

Why You Should Consider Tooth Replacement at Newnan Denture

Do you have missing or broken teeth? Even if you still have most of your natural teeth and feel like you’re doing fine, you might not see the urgency in replacing the missing ones. However, not needing full dentures doesn’t mean you should ignore the gaps. In fact, leaving those spaces unfilled can significantly affect your oral and physical health.

When you think of false teeth, full dentures likely come to mind. However, there are more options available, especially if you only have a few missing teeth. Partial dentures, which are removable, can fill in the gaps and are available in traditional hard resin or as flexible partial dentures. Implant dentures are another option for replacing one or a few teeth. These are a permanent solution, as they are affixed to the jawbone and not removable.

 

What Happens If You Don’t Get Dentures?

Not replacing missing teeth can have many consequences, including:

Other issues that can occur include:

  • Dark pockets forming between teeth

  • New gaps forming between teeth

  • Super-eruption, where the tooth opposite the missing tooth grows out of position

  • Difficulty chewing food and talking

  • Headaches from chewing on one side of your mouth

  • Limited ability to eat certain foods, which can lead to a lack of nutrients

  • Low self-esteem

Contact Us

To find out more about our partial and implant dentures, and how our we can help restore your smile, contact us at 770.251.6868 or request a free consultation online.

Why You Should Consider Tooth Replacement at Newnan Denture2024-08-15T10:44:48-04:00

Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Dentures in South Atlanta

Signs That It’s Time to Replace or Repair Your Dentures in South Atlanta

If you currently use dentures to restore your smile after tooth loss, there may come a day that you may notice that they don’t fit or look as well as they once did. Most dentures, especially older ones, don’t last forever. Rather than suffer with problems that arise from older dentures, here are some signs that it might be time to consider repairing or replacing your old dentures.

Contact Us

Regular check-ups with your dentist are essential to address any changes in the fit of your dentures and to ensure they remain comfortable. Adjustments or, in some cases, replacement of dentures may be recommended to alleviate issues caused by older dentures. Proper care and attention to the fit of your dentures contribute significantly to your overall oral comfort and well-being.

To find out more about our denture repair and replacement services, and how our we can help restore your smile, contact us at 770-251-6868 or schedule an appointment online today. 

Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Dentures in South Atlanta2024-08-15T10:45:11-04:00

Expectations When Getting Dentures in Newnan

Expectations When Getting Dentures in Newnan, Georgia

It takes time to get fully used to wearing dentures. In a way, you’ll have to re-learn how to eat and talk with your new oral appliance. 

Fortunately, our dentist in Newnan, GA is here to help! 

In this blog post, we’ll explain what you can expect when first getting dentures. Our dentist will also give you tips on how to care for your full or partial dentures so they last for many years to come. 

First 24 Hours 

As the name suggests, immediate dentures can be worn immediately after extracting teeth. If we need to extract teeth, our dentist may prescribe you pain relievers and antibiotics to take as directed while the site heals. It’s important that you don’t remove your dentures during the first 24 hours so the gums have a chance to heal. Your full dentures act much like a Band-Aid during your first day, which is why you’ll even need to wear them to bed. 

After 24 hours, we highly recommend removing your dentures before going to sleep. That way, your gums have a chance to rest and stay healthy. Your gums were never designed to be covered by dentures 24/7, which is why you need to give them breaks. 

Since the extraction sites will be sore, we recommend eating soft foods like mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese. 

First 2 Weeks 

Once 24 hours have passed since tooth extraction, you’ll need to return to our office so our dentist can remove your dentures. It’s normal to develop sore spots during the first few days of wearing dentures. You may also have more saliva. 

Gum tissue contracts as it heals. For this reason, you may need to visit our office several times so your dentures fit comfortably. If you experience dental discomfort or pain while eating, we recommend supplementing meals with Ensure or another protein-rich drink. 

After the First 2 Weeks 

It takes time for your gums, cheeks, and tongue to adjust to wearing an oral appliance. However, after a couple of weeks have passed, you’ll notice fewer sore spots in your mouth and less saliva. Don’t hesitate to call our office if you need your dentures adjusted. We’d be more than happy to set up a time for you. 

It’ll take some time for you to get used to eating and talking with dentures. If you lisp while you talk, we recommend reading aloud from your favorite book and keeping a running list of words that give you difficulty. The more you speak with your dentures, the easier it’ll become over time. 

How to Care for Your Dentures 

Take care of your denture teeth like you would natural teeth. For example, you’ll need to brush your dentures twice a day to remove plaque and prevent bad odor. Submerge your full or partial dentures in water or denture cleanser when you’re not wearing them so they don’t dry out. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of Americans age 30 and older have periodontal disease. If you’re wearing full dentures, you won’t have any natural teeth left. However, it’s still important to keep your gums healthy by brushing them twice a day. 

Request an Appointment With Us 

Dr. Rima Patel is a dentist in Newnan, GA. To request an appointment and learn if you’re a candidate for dentures, call (770) 251 6868 

Expectations When Getting Dentures in Newnan2024-08-05T14:55:34-04:00