Braced yesterday

[MidiSaya]

And wow am I feeling it. My friends-with-braces advised me to eat as soon as I got them on (as did my dentist!) but I waited too long and missed my chance. Getting used to the bridge in my mouth is a pain and a half all in itself, but on the bright side I don't choke on panadol anymore because my tongue is restrained.

My biggest concern right now is food. For now I'm kind of living on milo brand custard but I'm having some sensitivity around one of my extraction sites which I'll definitely bring up in my next appointment but I'm fine with all of this- I can live with it!

The problem is- my birthday is next week and my mum's organised a party at an all-you-can eat restaurant! What should I steer clear of? What will I even be able to eat?? Help!! It's my 18th and my mum already asked my dentist if alcohol will be a problem, so I'm pretty learned in that regard, but I'm clueless on everything else!

[Ciara]

And wow am I feeling it. My friends-with-braces advised me to eat as soon as I got them on (as did my dentist!) but I waited too long and missed my chance. Getting used to the bridge in my mouth is a pain and a half all in itself, but on the bright side I don't choke on panadol anymore because my tongue is restrained.

My biggest concern right now is food. For now I'm kind of living on milo brand custard but I'm having some sensitivity around one of my extraction sites which I'll definitely bring up in my next appointment but I'm fine with all of this- I can live with it!

The problem is- my birthday is next week and my mum's organised a party at an all-you-can eat restaurant! What should I steer clear of? What will I even be able to eat?? Help!! It's my 18th and my mum already asked my dentist if alcohol will be a problem, so I'm pretty learned in that regard, but I'm clueless on everything else!

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! And Happy Birthday!

Get a Dentakit survival kit- it makes eating out so much easier (http://www.dentakit.com/debrsuki.html). I've found that food with "little pieces" are a pain - rice, seeds etc just get stuck everywhere. Also, stringy food such as spinach, mango, coleslaw etc get wound around the wires and brackets and take forever to unwind. Hard or sticky foods and anything you have to bite into are a "brace breaker" so avoid things like nuts, toffee, apples, corn on the cob etc.

Pasta dishes (not spaghetti) are good, soups, fish dishes, well-cooked chicken, jelly, ice-cream, apple sauce, yogurt, soft cakes etc are all fine. Hope you can enjoy your meal.

Ciara

[luckyteeth]

Hello! I was braced Dec. 6 and only yesterday was able to munch on a Salisbury steak, in mini pieces, of course. If you look online for articles about what food to stay away from you will find plenty. I know the one food I learned to the hard way to stay away from is cheese grits. It's just a hassle to clean out of your braces!

[Realizingadream]

I just LOVE pasta, even more so when my braces are acting up, like after he changes out the wires.

Chewy pizza type bread makes me sad. Salad makes me sad.

Custard makes me happy. Really happy.

CONGRATULATIONS on having your braces in place. Relax, you will learn as you go.

Real

[19withbraces]

It gets easier I swear! But start with lots of yogurt, soups, and mashed anything (potatoes, apples, etc.). Don't worry though in a week or so you will be able to eat just about anything! I tend to stray away from things like chocolate and puddings in front of people just because it easily gets stuck in your teeth and is hard to get out. Good luck and happy birthday!!

[naomithompson]

Good luck! Mine went on today and I didnt really think the eating thing through..... I'm thinking soups, yoghurt and icecream until I work out how to do it. I have had bite guards fitted so literally cannot bite down at all at the moment...even dealing with the little bits of chicken in my soup was a drama..... BUT its a means to an end and some short term discomfort/hunger will I'm sure be worth it for your beautiful smile in the end!