If you wear dentures, you’ve probably noticed how it affects how, and what, you eat. For instance, you may avoid meats that are tough and more difficult to chew. It’s true that dentures make eating specific foods more challenging, but have you thought about how these dietary adjustments could be affecting your nutrition? If you wear dentures in Jacksonville, here’s how your health could be affected, and why attaching your dentures to dental implants might improve your eating habits.
How Dentures Affect Your Nutrition
Proper nutrition includes eating a range of healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry. However, research from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University School of Dentistry suggests that wearing dentures may limit a person’s consumption of some of these foods and ultimately impact their nutrition.
The study evaluated the dental records of around 10,000 Indiana patients and looked for specific markers for malnutrition. Researchers found that patients with dentures experienced a gradual decline in nutritional health over the two years of the study. This decline was not present for those without dentures.
What Causes the Nutritional Deficiencies?
The force used to chew foods with traditional dentures is only about 25-30% of the force achieved from natural teeth. As a result, eating certain foods can become difficult for many denture wearers. People tend to avoid very chewy or sticky foods, and ultimately cut out food groups that are important for optimal nutrition. As a result, they tend to gravitate to softer foods that are higher in sugar and carbohydrates (ice cream, white breads, etc.). The extra sugar can lead to additional oral health concerns.
Additionally, food that isn’t chewed enough doesn’t digest properly. People with dentures often swallow larger pieces that are more difficult for the stomach to break down and absorb nutrients from. This can lead to vitamin deficiencies that are linked to a range of health complications.
How Implant-Supported Dentures Can Help
If you’re eliminating foods from your diet or struggling to chew with your dentures, implant dentures are a great solution. Implants support your dentures by connecting them to the jawbone. This improves the force of your bite and minimizes sliding or movement.
Furthermore, Implant dentures will make it easier to chew harder and tougher foods. That’s because they allow for tearing motions. Regular dentures can’t achieve this ability to chew side to side with the front teeth. Instead, they mimic the motions more in-line with how plant-eaters grind their food.
If you’re struggling to eat some of your favorite foods because of your dentures, you have options! Reach out to your dentist and ask about how implant dentures could improve your nutrition and quality of life.
About the Practice
Dr. Johnson and Dr. Barker of Jacksonville Complete Dentistry have years of experience in improving their patients’ quality of life through exceptional dental care. Dr. Johnson earned her DDS in Denver and is currently continuing her education at the University of Florida. She will soon earn her Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Barker is a member of the American College of Prosthodontics and the American Dental Association. He is also a Fellow of the American Board of Prosthodontics. If you have questions about implant dentures, visit their website or give them a call at (904)645-6457.