I just started using a set of full dentures and honestly, eating feels so weird right now. Like, I keep worrying they’ll pop out or something if I bite too hard, which makes me eat slower than a sloth. I’ve tried those adhesive creams but I’m not sure if they actually help or just taste gross. Do you eventually get used to it, or is it always a bit awkward? Curious if anyone’s found tricks that actually make meals less of a hassle.
Man, I totally get where you’re coming from. The first few weeks with my dentures were honestly so awkward—I felt like I was learning how to eat all over again. I also tried those adhesives and yeah, some of them taste nasty, but a couple of the cheaper store brands actually worked better for me than the “premium” ones (and didn’t break the bank). For me, cutting food smaller and chewing slowly helped a lot. It does get easier once your mouth gets used to it, but I still have days where things feel off. It’s a process, but hang in there—it’s not always this weird.
That awkward phase is so real. I remember sitting at the dinner table with my family, just staring at my plate because I couldn’t figure out how to bite into a sandwich without everything sliding around. There’s definitely a learning curve. For me, what helped most was starting with super soft foods—like mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs—then gradually moving up to stuff with a little more texture. It’s kind of like retraining your muscles, honestly.
I totally get what you mean about adhesives. I tried a couple that were supposed to be “long-lasting” but they tasted weird and didn’t even hold that well. Ended up sticking with a generic brand, which worked better for me too. One thing my dentist suggested was practicing chewing on both sides at the same time, which felt weird at first but actually made things more stable.
Some days are still hit or miss, especially if I’m tired or in a rush, but it’s way less stressful now. It really does get easier, just takes patience and a bit of trial and error.
One thing my dentist suggested was practicing chewing on both sides at the same time, which felt weird at first but actually made things more stable.
Did that actually work for you? I tried chewing on both sides but it felt so unnatural and almost made the dentures rock around more. Maybe I’m just too anxious about biting wrong, but it seemed to make things worse, not better. Also, about the adhesives—does anyone else worry about swallowing a bit of it? I keep thinking I’m using too much or not enough... kind of stressful.
I know exactly what you mean about the adhesives—I’m always second-guessing if I used too much, and then I get paranoid about swallowing some by accident. It’s not like there are clear instructions for this stuff, and it just feels… weird. The taste is another thing. Some days I can barely notice it, other times it’s all I can think about while I’m eating.
Chewing on both sides at once is something my dentist mentioned too, but honestly, it just made me more anxious. Like, I’m already worried about the dentures moving or clicking, and trying to coordinate both sides made me feel like I was learning to eat all over again. Sometimes I catch myself just mashing food with my tongue instead because it feels safer.
I guess it’s kind of comforting to hear that others are having a hard time too. It’s not exactly something people talk about in real life. For now, I’ve been sticking to softer foods and cutting everything up small, which helps a bit, but it’s definitely not the same as before.
