Questions

[justjenn]

I have now had braces for two weeks and have a few questions.

1. When are you able to eat normally again? I can almost but still can't chew meats very well and I normally eat lots of chicken.
2. Is it normal for some teeth to feel "magnetic" to the point of not wanting to fully close your mouth for fear of not getting it back open? Not really TMJ feeling.
3. Is grinding/loose tooth feeling normal?

I haven't really had any pain, minus the first 2-3 days, but I'm currently experiencing mild pain.

Jennifer

[newsboysgrl777]

I'll try to help a little with your questions, but I know there are others here who can be more thorough:

1. This differs with everyone, but I can tell you that it WILL happen (feeling like you can eat normally again). Even though it doesn't feel like it could possibly. However, realize that your teeth/bite/etc. will be changing for the entire time you've got your braces on, so there may be times you will feel totally "normal" and other times where you'll feel like you're back to square one. Again, this is part of the process. :)

2. I don't really know how to answer this, so I'm not going to try. I'm sorry. Hopefully someone else can help.

3. Your teeth WILL loosen because that's what has to happen in order for them to move, so YES, that is TOTALLY normal. However, when you say 'grinding,' I'm wondering if you can elaborate more, because I don't want to tell you something is normal if it isn't.

Unfortunately, pain can be part of the process. I've read about some people who say they've experienced no pain at all, to others who experience quite a lot of pain. I'd have to say it's because everyone's experience is different based on their individual needs, but also because pain thresholds can be different. You and I could experience the same 'level' of pain, but it could FEEL more painful to me than to you or vice versa, just based on our thresholds.

However, if you feel a level of pain that worries you, don't hesitate to call your orthodontist because (s)he wants to make this as pain-free for you as possible. Only (s)he can tell you if what you're experiencing is 'the norm' or if something could be wrong.

[Denise]

1. When are you able to eat normally again? I can almost but still can't chew meats very well and I normally eat lots of chicken.

I wasn't able to eat normally again for about 2-3 weeks. I had a lot of pain. Excruciating pain. To the point where i literally couldn't even bite through an olive. I would cry with frustration because I didn't think I'd ever get back to normal. But you will, I promise. As with anything, your body simply has to adjust and that takes time. Now, I'm back to eating just about every kind of food I ate before. The only foods I avoid are celery, carrots, and apples. My teeth are still too loose and sore to chew through a carrot, apples hurt, and celery is a nightmare on brackets!!

2. Is it normal for some teeth to feel "magnetic" to the point of not wanting to fully close your mouth for fear of not getting it back open? Not really TMJ feeling.

I don't know how common it is, but it certainly does happen with some people. Mention it to your ortho, and make sure they tell you what is normal, and at what point you should become concerned.

3. Is grinding/loose tooth feeling normal?

The loose tooth feeling? Yes. Grinding I know is pretty common. I don't grind, but I do clench my jaw.