SEPARATORS

[pdbprodigy1]

If an individual is wearing separators for a week before
braces, do they have to follow a special soft foods
diet or can they eat what they want? I'm asking
because my separators will be placed on right before
Christmas (and I'm worried I won't be able to enjoy
the holiday dinner).

Thanks!

[sauerkraut]

It depends!

Don't you just love that kind of answer?

Seriously though, as far as I know, you won't be advised to follow a soft food diet, but you might find you have no choice because it's too painful to do anything else. I'm sure I have read on here of people who had no trouble at all with spacers. My own experience, unfortunately, was rather painful. There was really no room at all between my teeth and getting the spacers in in the first place took all my ortho's strength! For several days afterwards, my teeth were far too tender to eat anything other than yogurt and the like. Christmas dinner would definitely not have been possible.

But your case might be different. You might have more room between your teeth to start with. You might be less of a wimp!

I think if I were you I would reckon on not being able to enjoy Christmas dinner if the spacers are put on in the week or so beforehand. Might it be possible to postpone until the new year?? Or have your Christmas dinner early, say the day before the spacers go in - to celebrate the start of your braces journey??

[knittedteapot]

Hello! I have been wearing spacers for 6 days now and I really haven't found them painful at all. It has taken a little longer to eat things but I haven't been avoiding any foods. I imagine it is down to the individual. My orthodontist warned me that the spacers would be uncomfortable but after having to wear a bite plate for a year , I hardly notice these.
Good luck with everything!

[kirjax]

I really think it's different strokes for different folks. I personally hated the spacers and couldn't even manage macaroni and cheese!! I had to eat appleasauce, mashpotatoes, yogurt, etc. I had mine in for 6 days. Day 1 was fine, Day two was okay, but day 3 I wanted them out!! I'd say if they really hurt take some pain reliever and just manage the best you can. Atleast you can have mashpotatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and stuffing, it's the turkey that may be a bit much to manage. But like some have said, you may not experience that much discomfort.

Good luck! Trust me if you can get through spacers braces is a piece of cake!

[iamnewto]

I had mine in from last Monday to this Monday - was not too bad, worst i think was day 2-4 then the pain started to disapear more and more.
I had also pain while hard physical work - e.g. walk up a very steep 200m hill - in case you are planing to do some winter sports.


For me the worst was starting to eat - the pain got less after a few minutes chewing. And i could realy enjoy a 6 curse dinner on day 6.


I hope it helps you to make your decision.

Greets

[cosmicgirl]

Hi pdb!
If I were you, I'd postpone the appointment till after Christmas. Spacers aren't exactly painful, they're more of a pain in the backside. I had mine in for a week and they were SO annoying - it was actually blissful (well sort of...) when they came off and the braces went on. Chewing was quite difficult as my teeth became sensitive and I couldn't stay out in the cold too long in case my teeth started to chatter - and that was painful! (And I couldn't stop either. )
On the other hand, you may be one of the lucky ones who feel absolutely no discomfort at all - but better to err on the side of caution and not spoil your Christmas!
My ortho thinks I'm ready to have my second molars banded too and suggested I come in to have the spacers put in on 22 Dec... He's a joker - they'll go on in January!

[mariahfromchicago]

You CAN enjoy your favorite foods. You may need to eat softer foods. Some people don't have trouble at all, some are in pain the whole time.
- mariah