Posted on September 29, 2023
If you have traditional braces, you may have already noticed that something as simple as eating can feel really challenging. This can be especially difficult for younger patients with braces who may not be able to adapt quickly to new eating habits. That’s not to say it can’t pose a problem at any age, especially since one out of three orthodontic patients are adults, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Here are a few tips on how to eat with tightened braces.
You can still eat plenty of healthy foods without needing to crunch and chew a whole lot. You can try soups, smoothies, yogurt, and protein drinks when your teeth are extremely painful. If you can stand some chewing, you might want to try pasta, bananas, and rice. You can even eat meat that has been cooked until it’s very tender. Harder food isn’t necessarily off limits when you have braces, but right after your braces are tightened, it may help to avoid certain things.
Another good option is to take foods that you usually eat and cut them into very small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the less chewing you will need to do with your sore teeth. It also helps to use your molars more. Your molars can take more chewing resulting in less pain than your other teeth.
Eating slowly will take some of the stress off of your teeth as well. When you chew carefully and take your time, your teeth don’t need to work quite as hard. Drinking water is also a good way to make eating less stressful for tightened traditional braces, since it can soften the foods that you’re eating.
If your pain is severe, you might consider taking over-the-counter pain medications. You should talk with your orthodontist about which types of medication are recommended. It’s also a good idea to keep some OTC medication in your system to prevent pain from starting. You can do this for the first few days after having traditional braces put on, or after having your braces tightened.
If you start experiencing pain that feels unbearable, don’t just rely on the above methods; talk with your orthodontist. Your braces may have been tightened too much or too quickly. Your orthodontist can examine your mouth to ensure that your treatments are appropriate and effective. If you have more questions about traditional braces, please contact us today. We are here for your orthodontic needs.
