How am I supposed to eat?

[Boohill]

Today is day number 3 with my braces. I feel a lot of pressure but not unmanageable pain but I cant chew and my teeth feel loose. How am I supposed to eat if all of my teeth feel loose? I managed to eat pasta last night on the right side chewing with the teeth around the canine area, not the back teeth. Weird. I see some new wearers have no pain. But does that mean that it doesn’t bother you when you eat either? I took Advil an hour before attempting to eat. I’m trying to eat soft foods but I tried to eat a donut yesterday and it felt like a rock. Even soft things are not soft. I’m on my second cup of tea. I chose not to have breakfast this morning. My teeth were very sore this morning when I woke up and brushing was painful on the left side. And it really hurt last night to floss. Brushing with my electric toothbrush felt so good the first day but not today. The braces are fine as long as I’m not touching them with anything (food, floss or toothbrush). I don’t mean to complain because I kinda like my braces but I just know that I can’t keep missing meals. Comments, advice and experiences are welcome. Thanks

[Audra]

I found that after the first week or so eating became much easier. After a while it will feel like you are eating normally again. Hang in there. It does get better.

[Bekah]

I ate ALOT of yogurt that first week! It was something that I didn't have to chew! That and jello!

[sapphirerose924]

My first week is officially complete today and I still am having trouble chewing.

For breakfast, I had oatmeal with milk and peanutbutter (protein to make it last longer so that I can eat less often) and a cup of coffee.

For lunch, I will have soup and yogurt

For dinner, I will have fish most likely (I have found that fish is really easy because it flakes) with some soft-cooked veggies or soup

I tried a banana yesterday, and it was OK, so a banana and soft cheese can serve as a snack if I need one.

For my overall level of pain, I think that it varies by time of the day. First thing in the morning, I am fine, but as I get more tired, they seem to hurt more.

I think that your level of pain is very personal. Some people are fine and others hurt more.

[petitcanard]

Hang in there!! I lived off of frozen curries for the first week or so - the chicken is tender and I cut it up really really small, and the rice & veggies are nice & squishy, so they were perfect. It can go down with just some mushing about with your tongue, worst-case scenario LOL. So I recommend those, if you like curry, that is!

Other than that, I was starting to drop weight from missing meals too, so bought some V8 single-serving cans, and also bought Ensure... and took vitamins just to try to help the cause.

Yogurt is ok, I tried mashing a banana in it once but wow - mashed banana sure gets tangled around the wires!!! Gross. Lessee, what else... pastas, especially any that have been frozen first - I'm not a huge fan of frozen food, but found that it's about twice as squishy as fresh so chose not to be picky haha. Soup etc is ok too, ice cream, steamed veggies if you cook them a bit longer than usual...

I think the trick at the start is taking the time to cut everything up really small... it's good to chew a bit - the soreness goes away faster - but you don't want to have to do the whole job when you're first braced and really sore.

Good luck, it does get easier!! Do you have a waterpik? I love rice & pasta but they're a bit of a pain with braces, however I found having a waterpik solves that problem quite nicely

[Boohill]

Thanks everyone for the tips. I hope it will only be a few more days. I can’t imagine eating normally again.
@ petitcanard - yes I do have a waterpik and I love it. I wish I had one that I could take everywhere with me for cleaning at work and school. It does find lost food that I thought was removed from brushing. I will get more use out of it because I love rice and pasta.

[evilnel]

It should feel better soon! Once the ligaments are loosened up it will stop feeling so strange. I ate mostly yogurt, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, very sort meatloaf, and soup the first 2-3 days. After that I upgraded to firmer food, and it's been fine yet except briefly after my adjustment. As for brushing, I usually use a regular toothbrush the first few days after an adjustment. The sonicare hurts!

[wilson123]

Like everyone has said - don't worry you will be able to, just perservere

It's funny thinking back to that same time myself, I think I lived on tomato soup and yoghurt for about a fortnight, and then I decided to test out other things and I could eat them. I still can't bite off items - I'm five months in - but I can pretty much eat everything I used to. Including curry.mmmmmmm

[nuttynat]

I seem to have a stronger bite on my right side then on my left. I actually don't mind having to eat soft foods, because for me, it has really made me consider the food that I can eat and not just anything that is in sight. I now also think about what foods will get caught up in my braces and will subsequently add another 5-10 minutes to my cleaning routine and I reconsider if I really want it. Good for the diet

There are some good ideas on the 'soft cookbooks' forum on this site, I've printed the list and put it up on my fridge so that if I'm ever trying to think of something new and different to eat, it's all at hand.

It's a week exactly tomorrow since I got my braces and I've survived thus far on: scrambled eggs, sauteed mushrooms, yoghurt, some ice cream, soups, mashed pumpkin (this got stuck in my braces), mashed potato, rice flavoured with curry & spaghetti in a can. When I want to test out my bite I eat, fish, chicken, soft fudge brownie (mmmm), baked potato, pasta, meatballs

I hope this may help anyone who reads it

[Rachel B]

Don't worry, it will get easier. I forget I even have braces now. You'll be able to eat normally again soon.

[Boohill]

Ok so today I found a different spot where I can chew a little. My teeth are still tender but not the same teeth from the other day. Im pretty comfortable with the braces in my mouth already but I cant image not feeling any pain when eating. Oh well every day is progress right. I try to just go ahead and chew because I read that it helps but I've noticed that I dont snack at all during the day (which was a big part of my day before). I'll make up for it when it gets better.

[nuttynat]

I dont snack at all during the day (which was a big part of my day before). I'll make up for it when it gets better.

Noooooo! don't make up for it, that's one of the best things.... it stops you from snaking alot and I find that I don't feel too hungry on the small amount that I end up eating

[Blossom]

The first three weeks I had my braces in I tried to eat toast every morning (I hate cereal!) and every morning I had to throw it out as it was too painful.
Then one day all of a sudden I was able to eat soft white bread and now I eat the regular soy and linseed burgen I have always eaten and it's fine. I just have to brush my teeth a whole lot more afterwards.

At the time however I can remeber thinking OMG I will never be able to eat toast again.. but it gets better. Much better

[wycket]

Boohill, I totally feel you on this issue! I'm on day #3 now, and still having quite a bit of pain/tenderness in many of my teeth! I'm practically OD'ing on Advil/Tylenol, haha! I've been on the liquid/smooshy diet for days, and decided to try pizza (gasp!) all cut into teeny, tiny pieces tonight. It was an adventure, to say the least. I too, am finding myself really considering everything before I eat it... is it worth the pain, and the clean-up afterwards?? I know this too, shall pass.... but I'm here to commiserate with ya, if you need the moral support.

[randirocks]

I'm on Day 2 and the overall pain isn't bad. However, eating is terrible. I'm finding that I'm chewing only part of the time and swallowing food whole the rest of the time. Tortellini is a good food for braces because it is so soft, however, it does get stuck in there. I ate Thai food today and most of the noodle dishes were good because I could just swallow them. And they were super tasty. Cereal and salad are super unpleasant. I hope it does get much better. I can't wait to eat the normal food that I love!