What Can I Serve Seniors with New Dentures?

Even if they are well-cared for, years of use can make teeth worn or damaged. That’s why so many aging adults get dentures to replace their real teeth. Instead of struggling with broken or problematic teeth, many elderly adults are working with their dentists to get dentures in place. Not only will dentures give seniors a more natural appearance, but they will be able to chew and speak as well as ever, once the gums have healed.

Family caregivers may not realize that while the decision to get dentures is a good one, the aging adults will need some help with proper food as they transition from natural teeth to dentures.

Why Do Seniors Need Special Meals When Getting Dentures?

While getting dentures is definitely worth it in the long run, the process can cause discomfort and even pain at first. Dentists extract the natural teeth and get the gums ready for dentures to fit properly. This causes quite a bit of trauma to the mouth, and the elderly adult will need a special diet to spare their gums from pain and possible infection.

Family caregivers with aging relatives that are preparing for dentures can help them during the painful period just after the teeth extraction while the swelling in the gums goes down. The dentist will instruct the aging adult not to chew anything for the first several days, and to stick to a liquid diet. Anyone who works with the elderly adult, like family members or home care providers, will need to make sure they are getting nutritious and healthy meals that won’t irritate their tender gums.

Meal Ideas for Seniors with New Dentures

Getting dentures is an inevitable part of getting older as their real teeth decline after years of hard work. These artificial teeth usually enable elderly adults to chew better than with their natural teeth. chew Seniors usually feel better about how they look in dentures, too. However, the first two to three weeks of learning to eat with dentures can be challenging for them. The gums can be extremely sore for the first three to five days after the extraction and remain sore for as long as four weeks.

For the first several days, family caregivers and home care providers should make an serve a liquid diet, this is any food that seniors don’t need to chew. Good options include oatmeal, pudding, broth, smoothies, ice cream, applesauce, breakfast shakes and cream of wheat. After a four to seven days, seniors may feel ready to move on to soft food like bread, pasta, eggs, rice pudding, canned fruit and steamed vegetables. As their mouth heals and they get used to chewing with dentures, aging adults can move to regular food, except for very hard or sticky things.

Family caregivers and home care providers do a lot for elderly adults when it comes to creating healthy and nutritious meals. They must take extra steps to prepare when the aging adult has new dentures to ensure they are still eating a healthy diet but not aggravating the gums.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in East Brunswick, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care Serving Somerset and Middlesex/Union Counties today. Call (732) 607-8870.