Metal Mouth Message Board

I've read a few posts that say people prefer not to eat socially with braces - how bad is this?

I was sort of hoping that if I cut food up before chewing it would be ok?

Personally I couldn't imagine eating out in public. But then again I just got my braces less than a week ago. Food gets caught so badly between the wires and by the time I eat two bites I feel like a squirrel storing nuts in my cheeks. And of course I end up having to remove the chewed food from those crevices with finger, tongue, or toothbrush. It's just a total mess for me. Eating has become a dreaded task for the day and a real inconvenience. I still have to use more wax than I prefer so getting ready to munch down also consists of me removing said wax. If I couldn't escape eating in public I would stick to soups. But this could be completely different for you. So I would try it out a home first and then go from there.

On the upside you're not the one who has to look at it.

I don't like eating in front of other people regardless, but I do it, and I do it with braces. I tend to order simple things like soup or pasta, foods that are easy to just pop in your mouth, chew and swallow. When I'm finished eating, I go to the bathroom to make sure that there's nothing stuck in my braces.

I feel like no matter what I get food stuck in/on my braces and want to immediately run to the bathroom post my meal. I've eaten with others, but definitely try to do my best not to smile/show my braces until I can get to a sink and my toothbrush!

I continued to eat out frequently during the three years I was in braces. I made sure I had a travel toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste with me (had them stashed in my vehicles, my office, my computer bag, etc.) I almost always eat out for lunch during the week when I am at work. Food can get lodged here and there, and unless it was visible I just learned to live with it for a short time until I excused myself from the table to brush. I see so many incredibly stupid things on a daily basis in our fellow human beings that I felt I hardly could measure up to all the weirdness with braces. Don't let braces rule your life!

I'm with djspeece...don't let them take over your life. I go out to eat all the time. I just make sure I swish some water if I feel like anything is stuck. And hey, if you're not out to eat the Queen of England or some senior manager at your work, nobody is going to bat an eye if you say quietly to the person next to you, "Is there anything in my teeth?" It's not a big deal.

I still eat out but I choose my food wisely! If I really want a burger I make sure I cut it up. I avoid things with rice and if it has lettuce and it's shredded it's a bugger! Curry stains so I only eat it near tightening so I don't have stained ligs for long. I wouldn't order chicken wings or stuff you can cut up. Nobody really cares. Obviously if you chewing like a cow in a field you're going to put people off, but just cut up and go check your teeth after.always take floss! X

Never saw this as a big issue. You can go to the washroom after the meal to check your braces. You can also carry a travel toothbrush.

I eat out as well. As a matter of fact, I was at a wedding just this weekend, at a table where I only knew one person, and was only able to pick my main course (I opted for the fish rather than prime rib due to the braces). When we were done with dinner, I just excused myself and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. Definitely don't let braces hold you back from enjoying life.

Thank you everyone - going through a general what else can I think to worry about

I'll still eat out with and without my braces. I've just attending a company D&D and was doing okay.

If you are uncomfortable, choose food which are braces-friendly such as soup. Riscotto works well too. And have a glass of water nearby to rinse your mouth every now and then if you are worried.

Don't let braces stop you from enjoying your social life.

Don't let it stop you! I almost always bring a toothbrush and have water handy to rinse. No one should really notice anything different. The worst part is when you go out just after a adjustment and you can't order what you want

Thanks everyone

I eat out fairly often, and I was definitely concerned about this at well. But as previous posters have said, don't let braces ruin your life. Eating out is still annoying because EVERYTHING gets stuck in my teeth, but I just laugh it off, and really, no one cares. I just swish water a lot, and excuse myself to the bathroom afterwards to brush my teeth.