After living with missing teeth for years and constantly having to work around them when it came to your diet, you now have a full smile and strong bite again thanks to dentures. But, while you certainly look and feel better than before, you definitely don’t have the same chewing power as your original teeth. Does that mean you need to avoid some types of food? While other places online will tell you that certain bites are forbidden for denture wearers, the truth is that you can have anything you want, but you’ll need to be more mindful with the following items.
Popcorn
Popcorn has the power to make any movie or show you’re watching at least 25% better—it’s science! But the issue is that a stray kernel can sometimes get stuck in the denture or even underneath it in some cases. Needless to say, this is irritating in a variety of ways! Thankfully, in 2025, there are plenty of prepackaged popcorn brands that are 100% kernel-free! So, while you might miss out on that inviting sound of a bag popping, you can also have the peace of mind that your watching experience won’t be disrupted by oral pain.
Steak
Steak is sometimes positioned as the mortal enemy of dentures because, depending on the cut and how it’s cooked, it can be extremely tough to chew even for someone with all of their natural teeth. However, there is a very simple way to work around this—cutting the meat into small bites. It might take some time, but look at this as an opportunity for conversation if you’re with friends or family. And if you’re by yourself, you’re probably watching a podcast or watching a video anyway, so it can be a mindless but relaxing task that lets you enjoy the savory goodness with peace of mind.
Sticky Candy
Caramel, toffee, brittle, gummies…all of these can easily dislodge or break the suction on a denture, which isn’t a sweet experience! So what can you do if you like these treats? A quick online search reveals that they can be served in many different ways, some less sticky than others. Add some caramel sauce to your ice cream. Toffee-flavored cakes and cookies are delicious and denture-friendly. Brittle—that’s a tough one in multiple ways, but the flavor can largely be replicated with confectionery treats like brownies without the tooth-snapping hardness.
While some adjustments are necessary, dentures give people many more options at mealtimes versus trying to eat with missing teeth. This not only gives you access to more flavors, but also makes it easier to eat nutritionally dense foods like meat and vegetables. On top of the renewed variety, this can lead to a higher-quality diet that supports your overall health, which is certainly worth smiling about.
About the Author
Dr. Ariel Steinberger (“Dr. Ariel”) is a highly accomplished restorative and cosmetic dentist in Massapequa Park. The handpicked protégé of our practice’s founder, Dr. Allan Mohr (one of the most respected dentists in the country), he combines his innate compassion with exceptional clinical skill and an eye for detail.
If you’re ready to live life with a full smile again, or you want to upgrade your current denture so it fits and looks exactly how you want it, Dr. Ariel can make it happen—just click here to book an appointment online or call our office at (516) 788-6986.