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While a fresh set of dentures instantly restores the youthful volume of your face and gives you a stunning look for photos, eating might not feel normal at first. Many people worry about eating after getting dentures, but it simply requires adjustment from your jaw muscles and brain.
Below we share a few quick, targeted facial muscle exercises to build up your mouth’s coordination.
The Lower Denture "Tongue-Hold"
Upper dentures feature a wide, expansive roof that offers a great base for suction. However, lower dentures have to navigate a narrow, curved ridge while competing for space with your moving tongue. To stop your lower denture from floating up when you chew, practice the tongue hold exercise.
Spend five minutes a day gently resting the very tip of your tongue forward against the back of your lower front teeth while you open and close your mouth slightly. This simple training teaches your tongue to act as a natural physical anchor to hold the lower plate flat.
Slow Motion Chewing
When we are hungry, we naturally chew quickly without thinking about the mechanics of our jaw. For the first two weeks with new dentures, you need to turn down your chewing speed by 50 percent.
Practice the slow-motion bite: take a small morsel of soft food, close your jaw slowly, and count to three during every single chew. The deliberate, slow process prevents your cheek muscles from accidentally pinching beneath the plastic plates and gives your jaw joints time to map out their new balance points.
Gradually Incorporate Textures
You cannot jump straight from a soft soup to a thick steak overnight without experiencing sore spots. Instead, take a gradual approach to adding harder, more difficult foods.
Spend week one entirely on pureed and ultra-soft foods (like mashed potatoes, puddings, and smooth soups). Move to week two and three by introducing ground meats, soft-cooked vegetables, and tender pastas. By week four, you can safely reintroduce firmer textures like breads, cooked meats, and soft fruits.
Read More: How to Make Your Dentures Last
Secure Your Smile with Dentures in London
Learning to eat normally with dentures requires a slow, measured approach and diligent practice. Our dentist in London, ON at Alba Dental Centre is here to help you lock in a secure, functional bite with custom partial or full dentures in London, ON.
Ready to complete your smile and regain eating confidence? Contact us Schedule a consultation today for dentures in London.
