Help, I have braces

[Xandra]

I got braces on my teeth last week, and it's turned my meals into marathons. It can take me an hour to eat each meal and another 20 mins to brush and floss. I dread mealtime and I don't snack.

Any suggestions? Do you think I could drop to 2 meals a day? Can I puree everything?

[jmcbn]

My braces were already on when I first started but I can remember that initial period of pain so I can totally empathise.

Can you try to stick with soft, comfort foods like scrambled eggs, blended soups & root mash? Any slow cooked protein will be much more gentle on your teeth/gums and something like a bone broth would be good. Don't be afraid to take pain killers too - we don't want you to suffer needlessly.

The one GREAT thing I found was the braces put paid to any thoughts of snacking, and like you say the constant cleaning & flossing most definitely signified the end of your meal. And that habit sticks too when the braces come off.

It WILL pass - and soon - I think it was around the two week mark for me before I felt I could bit into anything without pain. And just think of that Holywood smile you'll have when you're done - and the glowing skin to go with it!! 

[Xandra]

Thank you! I forgot about blended soups. I'm usually feeding 5 of us, and soup isn't a staple for anyone but me. I do drink lots of broth, though. Maybe I'll make a blended soup the midday meal so I can get through it quicker.

[SugarcubeOD]

Any suggestions? Do you think I could drop to 2 meals a day? Can I puree everything?

I wouldn't drop to 2 meals a day, that's going to cause bigger problems than the one you're trying to fix.  I remember having braces and it was awful at first but it does get better and meals aren't going to be marathons forever!

[praxisproject]

You can also puree lots of other things too, so if everyone is having chicken and roasted veg, blend yours up with some bone broth and turn it into a soup