Metal Mouth Message Board

I only had my braces fitted yesterday and I am already starting to regret it. I have an awful gap in the front of my teeth which I've hated for years, but I never realised I wouldn't be able to eat at all with braces on (foolish of me!).. I can't even eat soup or soft bread, really struggling as I'm used to eating 3 or 4 meals a day and I haven't eaten anything since yesterday before my braces. Tempted to just go back and have them off already, please tell me it either gets better or bearable!!! Thanks :(

The first few weeks are nasty but it does get better! Lots of people make smoothies - toy can use that to search this site. Also, take ibuprofen as directed on the label (unless you are allergic or there is some other contraindications. Hang in there!

Yeah it will get better. The first week I remember thinking there was no way I would get used to these. Not only that, I have ceramic braces so they're extra bulky and few of my brackets popped off. I was even rethinking my choice of ceramic. Well, 3 weeks later and while I am still using wax, I can say you do actually get used to them. I am also eating the things I used to eat before braces. (As best as I know how. Eating will NEVER be normal considering you do have braces on your teeth) Sometimes I don't notice them in my mouth anymore. Talking is also much easier, and I have just accepted that I may have a slight lisp throughout the whole ordeal. I'm probably not even going to change my bracket type either. Just hang in there.

It does get better. I'm just over a week in, myself. I used OCT analgesics the first day and the first two nights. Wax a lot for the first several days, though I haven't needed it for a couple of days now. I select my meals carefully, and I have a supply of meal replacement shakes in the pantry.

At about 24 hours in, I think you're at the worst point of it. Hang in there.

Hang on there mate!! I had the same feeling and depression for the first few days. Within a week I could eat rice.

Now I am 3 weeks down its much better and I just had butter chicken. Sometimes people eat it in week 2 itself. Its just the first week when your body needs to adjust.

It definitely gets better. I have ceramics on the top and bottom and my first 48 hours with braces had me questioning all my life choices up to that point. I was absolutely miserable and couldn't imagine it getting bearable as even a 100% improvement would have left me in pain. But by the end of the first week I could eat solid foods; by the end of the third week I had moments (albeit every so brief) where I forgot about my braces and now almost one year in they are a non issue (most days). Some things will suck until the day you are de-bonded (like eating green leafy vegetables or rice) but you won't be in pain forever. Just hang in there!

It does get better hang in there! You can also find a way to accomodate what you eat lol i eat bread and pizza and a whole bunch of other foods but i rip them into very tiny pieces in order for it not to get stuck between my braces. An extra step, but I'm ok with it

Hi Sophie

Totally normal from my own experience and what I've read on here! I stuck with very soft food the first couple of days eg mac and cheese, soup, yoghurt, banana, berries etc. Now over a month in I can eat most food although I avoid biting with my front teeth as they seem the most sensitive. The feeling of wanting them removed on day 3(!) passed, but I'm not yet at the place where I don't notice them and I am still having to use wax on certain brackets which would otherwise tear my cheeks/gums to bits. I do hope someday soon I can forgo the wax! Good luck!

Pain has been normal for me during 3-5 days after first wire and pretty much after each wire change. Usually I just suck it up and live with it, but I was told I could take paracetamol, NOT ibuprofen because the later has antiinflammatory properties and you need inflammation for the tooth movement process. I'm a big food fan so that has not stopped me from eating anything at all, I'm only more careful on HOW I eat it. Have not pulled a bracket yet. Good luck!

Today is week 7 for me with braces, and it does get easier with time. I am just now starting to finally eat a little better! My back teeth would not come together to chew anything, but now they do. I still can't eat certain foods, but I eat what I can. I had no trouble when I had the braces put on; no pain or discomfort whatsoever. I'm getting my first adjustment next week, and the Orthodontist said that I may feel some pressure with the wire change, because the next wire will be a little thicker.

IT GETS BETTER! I cried for the first couple of days I had braces because I didn't know how to chew or eat. But, after about a week, I got used to it and I was able to do more and more. Just stay with it, I promise you'll love the results you can see.