When does eating go back to normal?

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uvraise
Posts: 137
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:14 pm
Location: Philly

When does eating go back to normal?

#1 Post by uvraise »

Hello All,
I have had my braces for one week to the day. I have tried to eat normal foods, but my teeth are still killing me. Every time I try to chew on something relatively solid, it feels as if the teeth in question are moving and there is new pressure on them. Is this normal? I have lost 12 pounds in this first week, not that I can't stand to lose a few, but at this rate I can't eat right and before I know it I will be at my first adjustment and back to square one with the pain. Could someone offer any advice or suggestions? Thanks!

Andromeda
Posts: 417
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:29 am
Location: Southern California, United States

#2 Post by Andromeda »

Depending on the person, sometimes it can take up to a few weeks to be able to eat solid foods again. Then again, some people are fine after a couple days. I think it took me between 2 and 3 weeks. Sorry to hear you are falling into the same category that I did. It's normal to maybe lose a little weight but 12 pounds in a week does not sound healthy. Try buying some of those nutritional drinks that people on diets use in place of a meal. They still contain lots of vitamins and nutrients and should help keep you healthy. I know it might sound gross but you could invest in a food processor and basically make a "smoothie" out of solid food. May not taste as good but still gets your belly full without the need to chew... there are also plenty of things you can make that don't require much chewing. There is a soft food cookbook on this site and I'm sure if you do a search, you can find many suggestions made by other posters on soft foods like mashed potatoes, soup, etc.

Good luck and don't worry, it will get better eventually. Pain after your adjustments shouldn't last weeks like this.

UGHBRACES
Posts: 449
Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:56 pm

#3 Post by UGHBRACES »

The quickest route to pain free teeth in braces is to just take the plunge right away, eat normally and fight your way through the pain. Short term pain for long term gain.

Jewles
Posts: 218
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:02 pm
Location: Perth, Australia

#4 Post by Jewles »

Im 3 months in and still cant eat normally! my sandwhiches still get cut up and i struggle with some foods :( my first tightening was torture because my teeth were still so sore. Pain is movement tho!
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acidcookie
Posts: 92
Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:11 pm

I feel your pain (literally!)

#5 Post by acidcookie »

It'll be 2 weeks Friday since I got the wire added. So far, eating has been hit or miss. The constant numbing pain is gone but I still feel discomfort while I'm eating.

Pasta, fish and steamed foods are all OKAY for me to eat, and I'e even managed some tougher breads (holding off on the crust of course). Lately I got desperate and bought a juicer to "drink" the veggies and fruits I've been missing out on.

My lower teeth are moving FAST and really painful in the process. Some days, it feels like a tooth shifted all on its own and hurts all over again.

Might want to let the doc know about your weight loss, that sounds rather sudden. I'd also recommend trying Ensure to get some instant calories or nutrients.

acidcookie
Posts: 92
Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:11 pm

I feel your pain (literally!)

#6 Post by acidcookie »

It'll be 2 weeks Friday since I got the wire added. So far, eating has been hit or miss. The constant numbing pain is gone but I still feel discomfort while I'm eating.

Pasta, fish and steamed foods are all OKAY for me to eat, and I'e even managed some tougher breads (holding off on the crust of course). Lately I got desperate and bought a juicer to "drink" the veggies and fruits I've been missing out on.

My lower teeth are moving FAST and really painful in the process. Some days, it feels like a tooth shifted all on its own and hurts all over again.

Might want to let the doc know about your weight loss, that sounds rather sudden. I'd also recommend trying Ensure to get some instant calories or nutrients.

thisisme
Posts: 184
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:17 pm
Location: Australia

#7 Post by thisisme »

It took me about 3 days. It varies a lot!
Also my first adjustment didn't hurt at all so don't worry
about definitely being in pain after your first.
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mve21
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:08 am

#8 Post by mve21 »

My teeth Killed me for the first 3-4 days and I had to cut everything up ridiculously small to be able to eat but I remembered reading here that it's best to try chew and bite on the teeth (what with bite plates? and that) so I tried to eat anyway dispite the pain.. after the initial stage my teeth haven't hurt since. Just think of the weight loss! 8)

thunderkat
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:59 am

#9 Post by thunderkat »

When I was braced a week and a half ago, I thought OMG, I'm never going to be able to chew for the next year, but you know what? It took me 8 days to start chewing my food. Mind you, I still have to break everything into small pieces and can only use my back molars, but small progress is better than no progress! I guess everyone is different though but I am certain it won't be long before you can start chewing.

magster
Posts: 203
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2009 4:32 pm

#10 Post by magster »

for me it still seems like I will not eat normal food until I get these stupid things off :(

gr
Spacers: 8 - 4 top, 4 bottom on 04.04.09
Braced on: 04.09.09
Sentence: 18-24 Months


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kilikena311
Posts: 177
Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:00 pm

#11 Post by kilikena311 »

I have been having a hard time eating also, was braces a bit over a week ago. Today I've made progress with grapes. :-)
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duckie
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:24 pm
Location: Worcester, MA

#12 Post by duckie »

I can't handle anything that is not soft. I did suck on a potato chip tonight though. lol My teeth didn't hurt until yesterday; there is movement so now they hurt. Mostly it's been my tongue and cheeks that had hurt the most.
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Upper braces: 4/14/09.
Lower expander: 4/15/09.
First wire tightening: 4/28/09.
Lower braces: 5/13/09

Ceramic on top; metal on bottom.

59fifty
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:11 pm

#13 Post by 59fifty »

god after i got braces i wondered how ANY one ate anything

after 2 months i can finnaly eat ANYTHING

even nuts n stuff like that

while i had braces at first i cudnt even eat a sandwhich or hot dog

i really thot i wudnt be able to eat right until i almost had my braces off but my teeth dont hurt at all when i eat stuff tahts crunchy i just take it slow so i dont break my breaces

magster
Posts: 203
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2009 4:32 pm

#14 Post by magster »

I hope I dont have to wait 2 months! Ive waited for 2 weeks already :(
Spacers: 8 - 4 top, 4 bottom on 04.04.09
Braced on: 04.09.09
Sentence: 18-24 Months


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