How to Handle Chewing and Eating Problems

When your gums, teeth, jaw and neck are all healthy and working properly, the act of chewing is probably something you perform without the slightest thought. And that’s as it should be! Unfortunately, though, there are several conditions that can affect your ability to bite, chew and eat. Quite apart from the negative impact on your enjoyment of life (and meals!), those problems biting, chewing and eating could indicate serious medical or health issues that need attention.

What could be behind the problems?

When it comes to difficulties you may be experiencing with biting, chewing and eating, there are several potential culprits. Here are just some of the factors that could be affecting and undermining your ability to chew comfortably and effectively: 

● Trauma or injury to your mouth, gums, teeth, head or neck

● Lingering effects of surgery on your mouth, gums, teeth, head or neck

● Gum disease

● Age-related or medication-related saliva reductions

● The effects of tooth loss or untreated tooth decay

● Strokes

● Oral cancer that affects any of the soft tissues in your mouth

● The side effects of medical treatment, including cancer treatment

What should you do if you’re having problems chewing?

As is hopefully clear from reading that list of the possible causes of chewing, biting and eating challenges, there are several potentially serious medical issues involved. If you’re having difficulty chewing, biting or eating, we recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor right away. But your doctor isn’t the only one you should consult (especially if you don’t have one or can’t get an appointment right away). Several other medical professionals can support you with the challenges that you’re experiencing. Contact a dentist in Red Deer to rule out oral issues, or to get treatment for gum disease near you. The caring and professional staff at your dental clinic in Red Deer will examine all tissues in your mouth to identify and diagnose gum disease tooth decay and to develop a treatment plan to deal with issues and chewing problems. 

If the problems aren’t caused by tooth decay or gum disease in Red Deer, your dentist will refer you to other specialists - a denturist if ill-fitting dentures might be the problem, for example. Once the source of the problem has been identified and treated, all the right members of a care team will work together to help you to restore any lifestyle issues that might remain. A speech therapist and dietician might, for example, work together to help you to speak clearly and naturally - not to mention to help you eat healthily and joyfully again.

While undergoing treatment or waiting for help, what should you eat?

It can be extraordinarily frustrating to live with any physical limitation, and that includes limitations affecting your ability to bite, chew and eat. To help you to work around those limitations during treatment or while awaiting an appointment with a dentist near you, we’ve made a list of foods to eat. Be sure, though, to follow your dentist’s advice once you do meet with them. Here are some food options to help in the meantime:

● Vegetables that have been steamed, grilled or roasted. Avoid raw for now, but think about soft options like eggplant, sweet potatoes and squash

● Canned fruit such as pears, peaches and fruit salad in water or light syrup. And don’t forget to brush your teeth right away afterwards due to the sugar in that syrup.

● Pureed vegetables or fruit if that’s easier to eat

● Soft bread, pasta and brown rice

● Oatmeal and, if you’d prefer cold cereal, cold cereal softened in milk before you eat it

● Milk, cottage cheese, grated or melted cheese, yogurt and smoothies (as long as they’re not too cold)

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the staff at Saby Dental for our help to deal with any eating issues, whether caused by trauma, disease, dry mouth, gum disease in Red Deer, or any other cause.




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