Eating is a pain in the behind!

[autumnl]

Hi all! This is almost 3 full days in braces for me. I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised so far as I'm only having minimal discomfort. Teeth are a bit sore but nothing a couple Advil can't handle. What I'm having issue with is eating. Right now It is a huge task just to eat anything. Takes so much time, ny tongue and jaw get tired just from eating a bit of anything and the amount of time it takes is insane that I find myself NOT wanting to take the challenge. I'm sure eventually I will get hungry enough to say screw it and just chow down, but for now I'm gonna say, meh. Lol, am I just being lazy? Anyone else feel the same in the beginning?

[demarcheesy]

I definitely feel that way. I have the stupid molar buildups and an awful canker sore from one of the brackets rubbing everytime I talk/chew/swallow so I'm in the same boat. I hope this doesn't last forever!

[TheWolf]

I'm in my thirteen day of top braces. Yes, the beginning is a bit hard from the food perspective, as I was having trouble chewing because my teeth hurt, but it will go away after 1 week (+- some days). For me, day 8 was the day my left part teeth pain disappeared, and around day 10 for my right and front teeth. As for eating, even before braces I was always told that I eat very slowly, so that hasn't changed at all for me.

[autumnl]

It just feels like too much effort for very little reward ha ha. Oh- maybe i'll just get ice cream! :). I am so thankful I don't have those molar build-ups. I feel for you :(.

[angelina]

I lost a heap of weight for this very reason. My lunch break at work isn't even enough time to eat half of my lunch. Can't wait until it's all over!

[Beckett]

I weigh the benefit of eating vs the hassle now, too. My mouth gets tired over the littlest things. Or how much of a pain it will be to clean out of my brackets and then often I decide against it. Yes, I have lost a bit of weight, I hope I don't go too much lower, but really, when I've brushed and put in new rubber bands I really don't want to munch on anything and have to do it all over again.

My trouble is that my molars don't touch yet so eating isn't just about the teeth feeling sore, which they are, but I can't chew most things enough to call it eating. So for the past 9 weeks everything has had to be soft and easy to mash up using my tongue and the roof of my mouth if necessary. I did get the bumpers off my bottom front teeth and I'm hoping my molars will start to touch soon. My front teeth have to come forward just a bit more to be able to bite down over my bottoms. Right now they hit square on top of each other. It's irritating, but I know it won't be forever.

[autumnl]

I feel kinda guilty complaining about this. You guys have it so much worse with bumpers and build-ups. My back teeth come together so I have the full ability to eat- it just hurts to bite anything and super annoying and time consuming to have to keep getting the stuck food from the brackets and my expander. After not having too much pain all day (I didn't eat) it hurt to bite into a hot dog this evening. I just tell myself- You really can stand to lose a few pounds :) and your smile will be sooo awesome once this is done! I am still happy that I finally get to do this for myself :). Thanks for commiserating with me!

[Bracefacekris]

I'm the same way. I've become more picky with my food and find myself just not wanting to even eat some meals so I don't have to deal with the discomfort.

[carrieann]

It does get better! In the beginning I kind of just swallowed soft food cut up like pasta if I couldn't chew. Now I can chew anything soft but only using my right side. My lower bottom second to last tooth is missing and I have a spring going through the space so I feel uncomfortable chewing over there. I am afraid the left side of my jaw will become weak. I do have molar buildup but they don't bother me at all now.

[djspeece]

I think you're doing it wrong (re: title of thread).


Sorry, couldn't resist

[autumnl]

Ha ha- that's too funny!!

[loridee76]

Yes! 2 days in and I may lose more weight from not eating enough. Although I am not hungry. It will get better I hope!

[blackwidow]

I feel like this is going to happen to me when I get braces on in August. I have tmj so some days my jaw hurts when I eat, and I guess it'll be even worse when I get them on at least at the beginning. It should get better.

[mrscetrone]

I lost ten lbs in 2 months because of my buildups and not wanting to be bothered with brushing after eating. It gets better once the buildups wear down a bit.

[autumnl]

Hey- I can stand to lose about 10 lbs!!