Countless millions of people rely on their dentures to help them eat a wide variety of tasty foods. Indeed, these prosthetics are very useful! However, they are not perfect. In fact, some research indicates that they may have a negative effect on nutrition. This blog post explores why that may be the case and how denture wearers may be able to get all the nutrients they need for optimum health.
Nutrition Before and After Dentures
A study from the Regenstreif Institute and Indiana University School of Dentistry looked at data from 10,000 people with the goal of understanding the impact that dentures may have on nutrition. The researchers compared patients’ nutritional markers two years prior to when they started wearing dentures to those same markers two years after the patients started using their prosthetic teeth.
The conductors of the study found a significant decline in nutritional markers after the patients started wearing dentures. Most of the data points were still considered to be within normal and acceptable range. However, it may be reasonable to conclude that extended denture wear could have an even greater effect on nutrition.
Why Do Dentures Affect Nutrition?
There may be a at least two ways in which dentures affect nutrition:
- Chewing force. A full set of dentures may reduce a person’s chewing force to just 20 – 25% of what it was when they enjoyed full use of their natural teeth. Because people with dentures are unable to chew as thoroughly as they once did, they may be in the habit of swallowing larger chunks of food. This can interfere with the body’s ability to fully extract nutrients.
- Dietary changes. Although dentures open up many food choices for people with severe tooth loss, some items may still be challenging to consume. For example, it might be difficult to enjoy raw vegetables, fruits, and certain cuts of meat. Denture wearers may adjust their habits so they eat mostly soft, highly processed foods, which can reduce the overall nutritional value of their diet.
Finding a Solution
If you wear dentures, there may be some steps you can take to improve your nutrition:
- Adjust your diet. For example, you might try drinking a nutrient-rich meal replacement shake each day. You could also ask your primary care doctor if they recommend any specific nutritional supplements.
- Make sure your dentures function well. High-quality, well-fitting dentures work better than ones that do not fit well or that have incurred damage.
- Consider switching to implant dentures. Implant dentures are secured in the jawbone via prosthetic tooth roots. In some cases, they are able to provide a bite strength that is around 90% of what is normal with natural teeth. You may therefore be able to enjoy virtually any food and have the ability to chew it thoroughly.
Dentures are a great tooth replacement option, but they are not ideal for nutrition. Take the above steps to make it easier for you to get all the vitamins and minerals that you need to thrive.
Meet the Practice
At Gillis Dental, we have great sympathy for people who have experienced tooth loss. That is why we offer both traditional dentures and implant dentures. If you have questions about your tooth replacement options and how they may affect your daily life, we would be happy to speak with you. Get in touch with our Needham office at 781-202-6357.