Dentures can restore your smile and help you speak and chew more comfortably after tooth loss. However, research suggests that wearing dentures may also impact your nutrition in ways you might not expect. While they improve chewing compared to having no teeth at all, dentures often don’t provide the same biting power as natural teeth. This can make it harder to eat certain foods, potentially affecting your overall diet and nutrient intake.
How Dentures Can Impact Your Diet
One of the main challenges with dentures is reduced chewing efficiency. Hard, crunchy, or fibrous foods—such as raw vegetables, certain fruits, nuts, and lean meats—can be more difficult to bite into and chew thoroughly. As a result, some denture wearers tend to avoid these foods in favor of softer options that are easier to eat but may be lower in nutrients.
Over time, this shift in diet can contribute to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and protein, all of which are important for overall health. In particular, nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, fiber, and antioxidants may be harder to get in adequate amounts if you’re avoiding fresh produce or dairy products.
The Link Between Dentures and Nutrition
Multiple studies have found that people who wear full dentures often have lower intakes of key nutrients compared to those with natural teeth or implant-supported restorations. This isn’t because dentures are inherently harmful—it’s because the foods that support optimal nutrition aren’t always the easiest to chew with removable dentures.
Inadequate nutrition can lead to a range of health issues, including reduced immune function, muscle loss, and slower wound healing. For older adults, maintaining proper nutrition is especially important for preserving strength, mobility, and overall quality of life.
How Dental Implants Can Help
One way to address the limitations of traditional dentures is by attaching them to dental implants. Implant-supported dentures are anchored directly into the jawbone, which provides a more stable and secure fit. This added stability allows for better biting force, making it easier to chew a wider variety of foods—especially those that are nutrient-dense but tougher in texture.
With improved chewing efficiency, implant-supported dentures can help you reintroduce more fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins into your diet. This can have a direct, positive impact on your overall nutrition and health.
Tips for Better Nutrition with Dentures
Even if you have traditional dentures, there are ways to make healthy eating easier:
- Cut harder foods into smaller, bite-sized pieces
- Cook vegetables until tender to make them easier to chew
- Incorporate smoothies or blended soups to pack in nutrients
- Choose softer cuts of meat or plant-based protein sources
- Visit your dentist regularly to ensure your dentures fit properly
A balanced diet is essential to your overall health, and with the right strategies—or the added support of dental implants—you can enjoy a wide range of nutrient-rich foods.
About the Practice
Ridgepointe Dental offers personalized dental care designed to restore both the function and beauty of your smile. Serving patients of all ages, Dr. Amos and his experienced team provide a full range of restorative options, from custom-fitted traditional dentures to secure, implant-supported dentures that improve comfort and chewing ability. We take the time to understand each patient’s needs and lifestyle to recommend the best solution for long-term oral health and overall well-being. Whether you’re exploring dentures for the first time or looking to upgrade to dental implants, Ridgepointe Dental combines advanced technology with compassionate care to help you smile, speak, and eat with confidence.
Call us at (972) 625-4746 or request an appointment online.