It’s true! Researchers have found that those who wear dentures are significantly more likely to have lower nutrient markers than those who don’t. This correlation is due to a couple of reasons, but don’t worry – even though your dentures and nutrition are more connected than you might have thought, you can still get the vitamins and minerals you need to function well. Keep reading to get the details.
Limited Chewing Power
Dentures are a reliable restoration, but they can only restore about 30% of your chewing power. This means two things: you’re likely not chewing as effectively as you otherwise would be, and your diet is somewhat limited.
Effective chewing is actually a really important part of digestion and absorbing nutrients. If your food isn’t broken down properly, it’s harder for your stomach to access the vitamins and minerals inside. Thus, you could be eating a perfectly nutritious meal – and still not getting as much out of them as you need too.
But meal planning with dentures in the first place can be difficult, too. They’re not able to cut through certain foods, including hard fruits, crunchy vegetables, and tough meats. When your diet is restricted, it takes more effort and more careful planning to make sure your meals are balanced.
How to Improve Your Nutrition
Since your diet and chewing power are restricted, it’s important to eat lots of foods that are nutrient dense. Eggs, cottage cheese, meatloaf, and oatmeal are high in fiber and protein, making them more filling and satisfying. Pasta and rice, meanwhile, can help round out your meals and improve your energy (as long as you don’t overdue it and have a carbohydrate crash!).
Alternatively, if you’re no longer happy with your dentures, you can ask your dentist to combine your restoration with dental implants. An implant denture can offer just as much “coverage” as a denture, but will be fixed in place by strong dental implants. Thanks to this reinforcement, patients with implant dentures are able to chew more efficiently and can eat pretty much anything they want, no restrictions!
No matter which route you take to improve your overall wellness, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor and dentist about your challenges. As healthcare providers, they’ll be more than willing to help you get the nutrients you need!
About the Practice
Our dentists in St. Augustine are dedicated to helping patients experience a higher quality of life. They recognize that your ability to get essential nutrients has a huge impact on your day-to-day, and that your replacement teeth are important for maintaining a balanced diet. If you’d like more advice on eating nutritious meals with dentures or are interested in implant dentures, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact Salt Run Family Dentistry at 904-824-3540.