Thoughts/suggestions ...

[Phoenix461]

I am trying to eat as normally as possible. I like to have salads (lettuce, etc.) in the evenings with some form of protein. I figure that the lettuce will probably get stuck between my teeth/braces and proper flossing/brushing should remove it. Should I stay away from crunchy lettuce to prevent the brackets from popping off?

For those who eat salads, how has your experience been in general and what are your usual salad ingredients?

I have been trying to bite using the front teeth and this feels so weird. Surely, I cannot be the only one who has experienced this (or at least I hope I am not).

Thanks for the input/suggestions/advice.

[Bunny]

Hi Phoenix!

I am also a salad lover and eat similarly to you in the evenings. I have found crunchy lettuce, like Iceberg, little gems etc fine as they are mostly water and break down ok, they are brittle enough to break down without putting too much pressure on the bracket and dont leave behind too much debri when you brush etc after. I have tried smaller leaves like baby spinach and stuff and well that I cant chew as its too thin and my bites off at the mo so it ends up stuck at the top of my cheek! For the protein I like tuna flaked, Salmon flaked again and prawns in mayo...yum! I dont eat meat but I would guess chicken cut up small and anything that does not require masses of chewing, steak etc would be ok.
To "beef"-sorry no pun intended!!... up the salad, I have been grating carrot into it and dicing tomato, peppers and cucumber quite small.Also adding beansprouts, sweetcorn and mixed beans and chickpeas for MORE protein, I have to mush these sometimes though!
I have tried eating with my front teeth but it doesnt work and they are too tender-I am only 5 weeks in, so I go gentle on my back ones. Hope that helps! xx

[Phoenix461]

Bunny, many thanks for your response / suggestions.

You are ahead of me by being 5 weeks in. Today is only my 12th day. I'm fortunate that I can bite with the front teeth at the moment as the orthodontist had only but the "baby" wire in and the molars are not yet wired. I go back this Friday to change the wires and I am sure they will wire the molars as well.

I figure after the wire change, I will be back to square one as far as sensitivity / eating soft foods. I hope not.

[Candymomof3]

Hi---I had an absolute horrible time eating in the beginning..and even now I have a hard time believing this statement--I can eat most anything now!!! I was eating mushy stuff in the beginning and having a hard time chewing that because my top teeth were hitting my lower brackets, and my teeth in the back were not meeting up. I am almost 5 months into treatment now, and doing much much better!!! I do not and have not used my front teeth to bite into ANYTHING since I got my braces on. Why? Well for one...hate the way it feels and two--- it is the number one way to get food stuck in your brackets in a big way!!! I eat everything with a fork and if I can't-- I break it with my fingers and eat it in small bites with my back teeth. I have adapted really well and eat with no problems. What bothers me most about eating now, are the ulcers I have to work around. For dinner last night we grilled BBQ ribs, and I ate them with a knife and fork with no problems! I eat salad..I just chew on my back teeth...way in back so all the stuck food (and boy, do we know it's there!) is not visible. I am crazy about brushing though..I still brush after everything I eat..I have to...hate that feeling!!! My eating habits have changed...I went from 138 pounds to 129 and am staying at that weight. I rarely eat snacks, and not because I don't want to, it's because once I have brushed, flossed, rinsed.---I am just too lazy to have to do it again!!!! I eat 3 meals a day, but that's about it. I pretty much gave up potato chips...sniff....I just hate the feeling of packing an entire russet back there in my brackets. Easier to say NO!

[Phoenix461]

Candymomof3 - many thanks for your input. Today I actually ate some grilled tofu with roasted peppers in a spinach wrap. I was able to bite with my front teeth and chewed as much as possible. I did take small bites and it did feel like food was getting stuck every where. I just ate carefully and as soon as I was done, I was flossing/brushing and did a flouride rinse.

I hope I am not expecting too much considering I am just 12 days into having the braces.

Wouldn't you know it, I am craving junk food?

I hope I can lose some weight with the braces

[Candymomof3]

I think Braces are the greatest thing to happen for weight loss! I don't want to lose anymore but it really does all the hard work for me. I eat way less bad stuff than I used to . I know I have to make every bite count (and my gyno had me start taking a multi-vit again) because I know I eat less than I used to. I love junk..cookies, brownies....so I am able to take more control than I used to. I was just at the grocery store..and looking at candy bars...and was able to say no, because I am out and about and can't brush. Who wants chocolate caked in there for the next hour...ugh!!! I hate the feeling of food stuck every where!!!!! Good luck on your journey! It's an time mixed with emotions...I am always extremely grateful to have braces, after many years of not being able to do it...so I am proud of that fact, but boy oh boy, the braces get on my nerves...I always have ulcers and I have not felt pretty in months...but It will all be SO worth it next year when I get these babys OFF!!!!!

[Sunny]

Great that you're experiencing with different foods Phoenix!

I'm a veggie and salads are one of my favourites. I chew mostly with my molars, even though at times that's a challenge due to my bite being off. My front teeth have been moving for most of my nearly four year treatment, and feel strange when I bite with them, so I mostly don't bother. I do use them to chew though, as I want that blood flow in my gums etc.

My salads include seeds, nuts, a variety of lettuce leaves, spring onions, capsicum (peppers), tomatos (including semi sun dried), olives, baby spinach, chives, mushrooms, etc etc etc. I full my salads with as many ingredients I can find in my garden and fridge.

Remember to keep rinsing with water while you eat, as that will wash most of the food from your brackets. I usually chew on one side only when I have a meal, so that restricts where food goes.

Loosing weight while wearing braces is to be avoided if possible, as due to this not being a permanent lifestyle change, the weight will return, and usually when it returns, it comes back with more. Fortunately most people don't loose or gain weight, as there is no reason (for most people) why you shouldn't be eating the same as you were before your braces were put on.

The bonding that's holding your brackets on is very strong. It has to be, as the archwire is putting quite a bit of pressure on your teeth to get them to loosen and move. Most foods will not cause a bracket to come off. Things that might affect a bracket are chewing on hard stuff, like pens and pencils, finger nails is another one ... stuff like that, but rarely foods. Sometimes a bracket will come off due to the pressure the archwire is putting on it, or due to some issue with the way it was originally bonded. Very few break off due to food.

After you've eaten, be careful when brushing. It's important to use a toothpick and clean any food that's stuck around your brackets and teeth (I carry a toothpick and small mirror with me at all times for this). If you've drunk or eaten anything with acid in it (tomatoes, fruit juice etc), it's important to rinse your mouth well several times, but do not brush for at least 30 minutes. If you brush sooner than that, you risk damaging the enamel on your teeth, as you brush the acid into it. This can result in 'soft' spots appearing in your enamel, which may discolour and may become cavities.

In the early months I used to brush three or four times a day, and often use both a toothpick and interdental brush at each of those brushings. Flossing only needs to be done once a day, which is a relief, as it took me a while to get the hang of that. Now ... well I brush twice a day, use my toothpick 6+ times a day (after every time I eat), floss and use an interdental brush once and rinse with a fluoride mouthrinse twice.

Good luck with you finding more foods are enjoyable and you quickly returning to eating as you did prior to braces!

[mariahfromchicago]

I love salad! I never had any problems with brackets falling off because of food. I usually add: tomatoes (sometimes), some cheese, carrots, and spinach
Salad did get stuck in my braces sort of but not as badly as spinach.

[Bunny]

Candymomof3, so sorry to hear about your ulcers. I had the same at the start of my treatment, my ortho recommended Zinc tablets so maybe chat to your Dr about it. I swear it has made a huge difference I havent had one for ages now even though I do get sore spots. I take the zinc on top of my multi-vit. Also I bet you are pretty, and I am sure when you get your ulcers sorted you will feel much better about things. I do, I promise! xxxxxxx

[Phoenix461]

Sunny - thanks for tip re: not brushing immediately after eating/drinking anything acidic.

Could it be that my teeth are moving? A couple of the brackets are now rubbing where they weren't doing so over the past 12 days. If they are indeed moving, I'm happy that something is happening even if I cannot see it.

I go back to the ortho this Friday to change the wires from these "baby" wires. I guess I will go back to soft foods for a day if the sensitivity is there.

While I use the front teeth to bite into what I eat, I do end up chewing on the molars. I try to use the front teeth to help stimulate the blood flow to that area as you suggested and just trying to eat as normal as possible.

Thanks again for all your advice.

[Phoenix461]

mariafromchicago - yesterday I had some grilled tofu on roasted peppers in a spinach wrap. You should have seen me while I was eating. I looked like a puppy who was given peanut butter. As soon as I was done, I was in the bathroom flossing and rinsing to get everything that was stuck between the braces. I guess I will get used to this soon.

[Sunny]

The thin flexible archwires are the ones that do the most work, so it's great that your alignment is getting done so quickly and hopefully your next flexible archwire will keep up this great work.

Phoenix make sure you sip water while eating, as this will rinse most of the food away from your brackets. I find that after a meal, I have very little (if anything) that needs cleaning and rarely brush during the day due to this.

Good luck with all things ortho related!

[Candymomof3]

Thanks for your support Bunny! Every day that goes by is one step closer...I keep reminding myself of that! Can't wait til my next appointment!! A few more weeks to go!