Can Dentures Affect My Nutrition?

Traditional dentures have allowed many people to enjoy complete smiles after extensive tooth loss. While chewing food with dentures is much easier than chewing food without teeth, these appliances can have a lot of trouble with tougher or harder foods like steak, nuts, or crunchy veggies. Here’s how wearing dentures can affect your nutritional intake as well as how dental implants can help.

 How Can Dentures Limit My Nutrition?

Modern dentures are incredibly lifelike and comfortable, but they can leave a lot to be desired when it comes to chewing power. These appliances are held in place with muscle control and natural suction, meaning that they don’t enjoy as stable a hold with the gums as would be ideal. The jawbones begin to atrophy after tooth loss, which causes the mouth to change shape over time and the dentures to lose their fit.

Poorly fitting dentures can cause not only discomfort but also the appliance to slip and slide about in the mouth during chewing, making it harder to process many nutritious foods such as meats, veggies, fruits, and crusty breads. Studies have shown that denture patients have higher rates of malnutrition than people with all of their teeth.

How Can Dental Implants Improve My Nutrition?

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed in the jaw to support and secure dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or dentures. Since these implants are securely anchored in the jawbone, they do not allow the restorations to move any more than natural teeth, which allows them to handle any sort of food you can eat. This makes it much easier to enjoy steaks, ribs, crispy and crunchy fruits and veggies, and all sorts of other fare.

Dental implants also address the issue of bone loss in the jaw. Since they are surgically placed in the bone structure, they can provide the same stimulation that comes from natural teeth during the chewing process. The jaw receiving this regular exercise can prevent or even reverse bone loss, which helps the patient have a stronger bite.

While dentures can be an excellent solution for tooth loss, dental implants excel where traditional false teeth leave a lot to be desired. Consulting with your dentist can determine if dental implants can be a suitable treatment for you.

About the Author

Dr. Jeffrey F. Hermen earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the OU College of Dentistry and continues to further his education with postdoctoral coursework to stay on top of the latest developments in his field. He is proud to be a member of the Oklahoma Dental Association and the Oklahoma County Dental Society. His office in Oklahoma City, OK offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dentures and dental implant services. To schedule a consultation for dental implants, contact his office online or dial (405) 621-2100.