How on earth do I eat with these things on my teeth?!

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#1 Post by **smilegirl18** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:48 am

Well after years of hating my teeth I've finally taken the plunge at 39 and had my 6 Month Smiles (as they're called in the UK) braces fitted yesterday. I'm really pleased with how they look, they're not really noticable until you get up close as the brackets are clear and the wire is a sort of cream tooth like colour.
The problem is eating. I was well aware that I would have to eat softer foods, as my son had the traditional fixed braces fitted a few years back, but the only thing I've really been able to eat is soup. I know that my favourites like ribs, steaks & corn cobs are off the menu for the next 6 months or so, but can some one please re-assure me that I will get the hang of eating as it just seems impossible at the moment as I'm begining to wonder if I've made the right decision?

#2 Post by **sarahlynn** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 5:08 am

Yes, it will get better. Eating was tough for me for the first week or two - I felt like I was going to break or mess something up in there! Not to mention I was sore, so I was miserable since I love to eat. But sure enough, as you get used to them, eating gradually becomes easier. I am practically eating everything I did pre-braces (I've been braced 2 months now). I still eat things like corn and ribs, but I do have to cut them up. I still can't bite directly into something as my front teeth have been the most sore. Cutting things up takes away some of the fun, but at least I'm still getting to eat what I want.

Take it slow, cut things up into small bites, and gradually work your way up to eating softer solids and then more "normal" stuff. In the first week or two I ate lots of yogurt, oatmeal, cereals that softened in the milk (rice krispies was my favorite softer cereal), pasta, things like that.

#3 Post by **smilegirl18** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:31 am

Hi Saralynn, thanks for re-assuring me, it just feels so strange right now, especially as I have bite guards behind my top front teeth. I did manage scrambled eggs for lunch today & the oatmeal and cereals are a good idea.
The soreness isn't too bad, taking a couple of painkillers now and then seems to do the trick. I haven't got the hang of the wax yet, it keeps falling off and some of the teeth are a bit too sore to press it on too hard.
I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end though.
Thanks again for the advice, I might have a go at some pasta this evening.

#4 Post by **bluegirl** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:44 am

Thanks for asking this question...I've wondered the same thing!

I've had braces now for a week and a day. I still find it very awkward to eat. The first few days I only ate soup, Jell-O, smoothies, ice cream, toast, and apple sauce.

Then I slowly moved to Rice Krispie's in the morning, Cheez-It crackers, spaghetti, pizza, grapes (cut in half), watermelon, McDonald's hamburger & fries (soft!), chicken, and baked potatoes. Right now I am eating Nutter Butter Bites (cookies) which I was a little worried about but finding them very easy to eat. Yay! Perhaps it does get easier with time? I just cut everything up really small first. The first couple of days I did more swallowing than chewing.

My question is - what are we supposed to drink? They say drink much less pop, juice & drinks high in sugar. I'm not a huge water fan so I'm not sure what the next best choice is. Any suggestions are welcome!

#5 Post by **sisi** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:06 am

Hi Smilegirl

Give it a couple of weeks and you will start to feel WAY better when eating! What type of brackets did you get?

sisi

#6 Post by **Unlikejoey** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:19 pm

I'm getting my 6 month smile braces tomorrow. I'm so glad that you feel their not too noticable because i'm a bit worried about them!

#7 Post by **mary.** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 3:37 pm

First and foremost, congrats on your braces!

Don't worry things get better and better with time. I remember feeling that very same way - give yourself some time and take it slow and gradual. Soup to scrambled eggs, pancakes, to pasta then you'll be moving into all your normal foods after a few weeks. You'll just have to cut things up into smaller pieces, but you'll be able to eat them all!

#8 Post by **acd** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 5:19 pm

It's ok to cut things into really small bites--that helped me a lot eat things like pizza and steak early on into braces.

#9 Post by **smilegirl18** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:27 am

Thanks everyone for all the support and advice. I decided to play it safe and stick to soup again for dinner last night, but today I might try out pasta.
Hi Sisi, the braces I got are called 6 month smiles (I think they're known as 6 month braces in the US). I really wanted to go for invisaligns but my orthodontist said that a couple of my teeth were too twisted for those types of braces. I could have had the full metal fixed braces but he suggested these would be just as good for what I wanted.
Hi Unlikejoey, I hope your fitting goes well today and that you're as pleased as I was with the appearance. The brackets themselves are a pale opaque, the ligatures are clear and the wire is a cream tooth like colour. You can see them up close but they really aren't that noticable when you are talking to people.
Thanks again everyone for all the encouragement