If you’ve felt more tired and foggy after receiving your dentures, you’re not crazy. In a study of about 10,000 patients, researchers found that patients who wore dentures experienced significant decline in their nutrition levels over just two years. Those who didn’t did not see this trend. So it’s fairly reasonable to make the connection that this dental replacement can lead to malnutrition.
If you examine certain aspects of living with dentures, things certainly seem to add up! Keep reading to get the scoop.
Soft Foods Are Good, But Not All the Time
Not all foods are suitable for consumption when you have dentures, in the sense that certain textures can damage your replacement teeth. Crunchy, chewy, hard foods are off the table. You have to eat something, though, and soft snacks are usually safe.
While yogurt and soup can be quite healthy, it’s not good to eat too much of any one food group. You’re likely missing out on important nutrients found in meals with tough meat, crispy vegetables, and thick fruits.
Slippage is Uncomfortable
It’s nice that dentures are removable, but maybe they move around more than you’d like. Ill-fitting oral appliances are especially prone to slipping while you’re trying to chew. Besides being frustrating, this can cause chafing or sores, which are plain uncomfortable. Some patients avoid entire meals because of this, and don’t get enough sustenance as a result.
Poor Chewing Can Lead to Poor Digestion
Did you know that chewing is actually the first step in the digestive process? Chewing your food down to size mixes it with saliva, making it easier for your body to break it down and absorb all that juicy nutritional goodness. Unfortunately, dentures don’t have much bite power. Throw this problem onto slippage, and odds are you’re not synthesizing as many vitamins and minerals as you should be.
Talk to Your Dentist About Solutions
Your dentist knows your oral habits best, so they can recommend personalized tips for solving your denture-related nutrition problems. Using denture adhesive to help keep your replacement in place might be one of them. Another could be dental implants. They have more bite power and can significantly expand your menu, and are anchored to your jawbone like dental roots for superior support.
Whatever you and your dentist decide, remember that your medical professionals are invested in your health and wellbeing. They’ll be more than happy to help ensure you’re getting the essential nutrients you need!
About the Author
Dr. Sikander Singh has extensive experience working with patients who have medical complexities. He knows that each patient’s oral situation is unique, and that to effectively address their needs, treatment should be personalized. If malnutrition due to denture complications is making you feel tired and foggy, Dr. Singh would be happy to meet with you and discuss solutions. To contact his office, call 717-755-4143.
