The festive season is a time for cheer, family, and, of course, indulgent food. But if you wear dentures, Christmas can be a minefield for your pearly whites. Picture this: you’ve just bitten into a chunk of toffee or crunched through some pork crackling, and snap—your dentures have thrown in the tinsel! Not exactly the Christmas miracle you were hoping for.
To help you navigate the season and keep your dentures safe, we’ve compiled a handy guide to avoiding those dreaded denture disasters and enjoying Christmas without a crack-up.
The Naughty List: Foods to Avoid
While Santa has his naughty and nice list, so do we. Unfortunately, some Christmas favourites are bad news for dentures. Here’s our official Denture Naughty List:
1. Toffee and Caramels
Yes, they’re festive and delicious, but these chewy, sticky treats are a nightmare for dentures. Toffee loves to cling to teeth (and dentures!) and can easily dislodge or damage them. Save yourself the stress and stick to soft, melt-in-the-mouth alternatives.
2. Pork Crackling
Crispy, crunchy, and oh-so-tempting, pork crackling is a Christmas staple—but it’s also a denture’s worst enemy. Biting down on tough, hard crackling could cause your dentures to snap or fracture. If you can’t resist the roast, stick to the softer bits and leave the crackling for someone else.
3. Nuts
Nuts and Christmas go hand in hand, but dentures and nuts? Not so much. Whether you’re chomping on a walnut or cracking through a hazelnut, the pressure can lead to cracks, chips, or misalignment of your dentures.
4. Hard Sweets
Festive candy canes and boiled sweets are beautiful decorations, but they shouldn’t be on your plate! Hard sweets pose a serious risk to dentures. A single bite could lead to a sudden and dramatic crack.
5. Crusty Bread
Crusty bread may be delicious but its tough crust can put excess pressure on dentures, leading to cracks , chips and dislodging denture teeth - making it a risky bite for denture wearers.
What to Do If Your Dentures Do Break
If the worst happens and your dentures suffer a festive accident, don’t panic. Here’s what you should do:
1. Keep Calm and Collect the Pieces
Save all the broken bits of your dentures, no matter how small and keep them in a safe place (DO NOT wrap broken pieces in tissue or napkins as these get thrown away!). You might think they’re beyond repair, but with the right tools and expertise, many dentures can be fixed.
2. Avoid DIY Fixes
As tempting as it might be to whip out the super glue, please don’t! Home fixes can cause more damage and make professional repairs trickier.
3. Store Them Safely
Keep your damaged dentures in a secure, clean container and wait until you can get professional help.
We’ve Got You Covered — But Not on Christmas Day!
At our practice, we offer a Same day denture repair service to get you smiling again in no time. Whether you’re in Hampshire, Surrey, or Berkshire, we’re here to help.
However, like everyone else, we’re taking a little break over Christmas to enjoy the festivities ourselves. If you do have a denture mishap over the holidays, don’t worry—we’ll be back to rescue you from the 2nd of January.
Denture repairs are by appointment only - please contact the clinic to arrange a suitable time
How to Avoid a Denture Drama
Prevention is better than repair, so be mindful of what you eat. Opt for softer festive foods like mashed potatoes, mince pies, and turkey without the crispy skin. Don’t let stubborn snacks spoil your celebrations!
Wishing You a Crack-Free Christmas
We hope this festive guide helps you avoid any unwanted surprises with your dentures. A little caution goes a long way to keeping your smile in one piece this season.
From everyone here at the practice, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy (and denture-safe!) New Year!
Need Denture Repairs in January?
We’re ready to help! Contact us for Same day denture repairs in Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire. Your smile is our priority—cracks, chips, and all.
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