Dentures: DETRIMENTAL to your health?
There’s plenty of upsides to DENTURES. And there shouldn’t be an embarrassing stigma attached to wearing them.
They fill the void of lost teeth, help improve your smile and confidence, maintain the bone structure of your face, and decrease your risk of irreversible bone deterioration.
But there is one pitfall that all denture-wearers need to know about…
You could have the best dentures money can buy… but they can never fully replicate the efficiency of your real teeth. And that’s especially when it comes to chewing food.
Despite the advances in bonds and adhesives that hold dentures in place, researchers at the Indiana University School of Dentistry determined that—because dentures can’t replicate the same chewing function as real teeth—they may lead to dietary restrictions and even MALNUTRITION.
That means, your body isn’t getting enough vital nutrients, putting you at risk for muscle loss, frailty, and falls.
So, what’s the answer to this potential problem?
The simplest approach to avoiding malnutrition is taking steps to change how some of your food is prepared.
Take meat for example…
Chewing meat can be difficult if you have dentures. But meat—especially red meat— contains iron, a vital nutrient, which means you shouldn’t give it up completely.
Cutting meat into smaller, more tender, pieces will ensure your dentures aren’t overly taxed, while still getting the vital nutrients (and protein) your body needs.
Do your best to not avoid foods, but rather take a different approach to cooking and preparing them. If there is a food you absolute can’t chew, discuss it with your doctor and make sure you aren’t missing out on any vital nutrients.
Also, be sure to speak to your dentist about your dentures—especially when it comes to how they fit. If they feel uncomfortable or don’t feel secure, your dentist can make alterations to ensure a proper fit.
To a healthy mouth and body,
Cory Templeman
Senior Editor, eAlert
Sources:
Anderer, John. “That bites: Study finds wearing dentures could lead to malnutrition.” https://www.studyfinds.org/wearing-dentures-malnutrition/
