How to Eat Without Teeth

There are a handful of reasons why people lose their teeth. Some individuals suffer from simple tooth decay caused by plaque buildup and aging. Others live with gum disease that can dissolve teeth once gumlines become infected. And, of course, individuals can lose their teeth at any age due to events like car or job-related accidents. However, if dentures are not a viable or comfortable option, individuals without teeth can still consume satisfying meals if they commit to a soft diet of foods that can be easily swallowed without chewing.

Things You'll Need

• Food processor
• Soft-food cookbooks

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Instructions

• 1

  Keep an eye on nutrition. Just because the texture and consistency of the foods you eat might have to change, doesn't mean your body can adjust to fewer vitamins, fibers, fats, calories or minerals. Take a look at the USDA's official dietary reference intakes to establish what kinds and amounts of certain foods you need to keep you healthy. Better yet, speak with a dietitian who can customize your meal plan.

• 2

  Use a food processor to soften foods you worry you might not be able to swallow on your own. These appliances can blend or puree just about any meal, giving you options as to just how thick, thin, chunky or smooth you want your final product to be. Add broths and juices to help soften your favorite meats and fruits, respectively.

• 3

  Drink plenty of fluids, shooting for six to eight glasses of liquids, such as water, each day. Avoid sugary drinks like sodas, which can make you gain weight.

• 4

  Consume very small portions of food and see if what you're eating is difficult to chew or swallow. Different people are able to handle different varieties of foods, so extremely careful trial and error might allow you the leeway to eat foods you thought might be off limits. Remember, there are plenty of foods that need not be blended or processed in order to be consumed safely. Moist, soft and "comfort" foods (like oatmeal and mashed potatoes) are often ready-to-eat regardless of whether or not you have teeth.

• 5

  Explore cookbooks (like "The I-Can't-Chew Cookbook: Delicious Soft Diet Recipes for People with Chewing, Swallowing and Dry Mouth Disorders" by J. Randy Wilson) geared toward individuals who've lost their ability to chew effectively but refuse to give up rewarding and delicious meals.