Adult w/Braces

Hey --

Don't feel bad; braces are hard for EVERYONE. It may not do you any good, but when I had braces I found that drinking cold milk helped with the pain.

Your gums and your teeth are more sensitive during pregnancy. I'm surprised that the doctor would recommend that you get braces while you're pregnant. There is also no reason for you to be starving yourself or your baby. I'm not sure what the cost is or what you have invested in your braces so far. But, I would talk to the doctor (orthodontist) about trying again after the baby is born and ways he can help financially to have them removed and start over later. I would think it would be in his best interest since he could be liable if anything happened to you or your baby. Good Luck :)

I am an adult and I have braces also. It does get better in a few days. The only thing that really bothers me know is having to pick everything out of my braces evertime I eat. And when you go change a wire you will be a little sore. As they say "No Pain, No Gain". If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Eat lots of soft stuff, and high protien stuff. I didn't have braces as an adult but had some serious injuries to my mouth, I lived on eggs, tuna and yogurt. Try to eat things high in protien, it will help you feel not so hungry all the time. Steamed veggies are good too just cook them till they are super soft! things will get better, just hang in there.
oh and maybe try some oragel too!

I worked in Dentistry for 6 yrs before I became a stay at home Mom so I know what your going through I have experienced the pain myself. I know it hurts to chew but chew actually alleviates the pain, it works out the soreness. Warm MOIST heat also helps try it right after taking the tylenol it makes the tylenol go to work at the heat site and opens up the cappilaries to stop the pain. It will get better and become worth the pain. Good luck with the braces and the baby.

It does hurt for a few days. You kinda feel like if you bite down on something your teeth are going to fall out. Good news. It does get better. You will feel sore like this for a few days after everytime you go to tighten them but it really does get better. You will be able to eat again just give it some time.

T.

I was also an adult when I got braces and I remember the terrible pain vividly. It will go away in a few days and you will be able to eat about anything. You might want to slice apples instead of biting into them and you might want to avoid popcorn, but most things you will be able to eat just fine. The good news is that you will have beautiful teeth and a healthy mouth if you just hang in there. Don't give up, it will get better!

Hi!

Sorry to hear that you in are in such pain. I too had braces as an adult for three years, not while I was pregnant though. Some of my favorite things to eat that were soft mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, oatmeal. You could also try pureeing some chicken or turkey and maybe mix it in with the mashed potatoes, add some gravy! Yum. Have you checked to see if you can use orajel? Maybe that might help numb the pain a little.
Good luck!

When I had braces in High School, my orthodontist actually encouraged his patients to chew trident sugarless gum. It doesn't stick to the teeth and it actually works the soreness out. In fact each time I left after an adjustment, the office would give me a pack of trident and an excuse for school. I would start immediately chewing for a day or so and it was not problem. You may want to take ibuprofen and also, I have had some friends that have used ambesol or chloraseptic on their gums to make them numb. Let me know if you try the gum. It really does work and it keeps your teeth clean.

I got braces when I was 12. I came out of the office and stated "this is the worst day of my entire life." But it does get better. The pain gets a lot better. It will be sore again when you have them tightened. But hang in there. You will eat meat and fish again! I wish you the best!

It really will get better. Give yourself time to adjust. Of course you'll be able to eat normal foods again, just hang in there.

Hi T,
I'm sorry you are going through this while pregnant.
I learned while having braces as a kid to eat cereal as soon as possible after an adjustment!
I used to eat Corn Pops or Sugar Smacks-something about eating the really crunchy stuff helps and those 2 are crunchy and chewy (hard to explain-just say Corn Flakes didn't do it only the puffy/crunchy ones did).
Eat 1 bowl as soon as you can after your braces are adjusted and chew all over (Both sides). Seems to help keep the gums from getting as sore.
(Might also try goldfish if you don't like all the sugar-they have a similar consistancy).
Eat, brush and see if that doesn't help a little.
It really helped me-hope it works for you.
Good Luck!
C.

Rub baby oraljel on your gums thats what the orthodontist
told me to get for my children. it does work
N.

They shoud not be that painful and may be too tight and need adjusting. That baby needs you to eat as much as you want to! I would call the orthodontist today and get in tomorrow or today if on call person available and have them adjusted to be less tight.
B. smith rn. ccm.

I didn't get braces until I was in college, which is still well older than most people. It hurt like hell at first! It does take a while to get used to them, but really, the end result will be worth it! You will be able to eat regular foods in a few days. I ate all of the same things I had been eating when the soreness wore off. If you go out to eat, you can take little brushes they make to clean in between the braces and you can step to the bathroom when finished. If the braces rub against your inside lip, you can get some wax to put on the top of them so they don't scratch you. Hang in there! I wanted to get mine taken off as soon as I could, but I'm glad I waited until all of my crooked teeth had been corrected. And when you get finished, wear the retainer. I didn't and I have noticed my teeth shifting. Not much, but some. Good luck!

I got braces at 30 yrs. old and it was very painful for a few days after first getting them or getting them adjusted once per month. I felt like I lived on omelets. Thankgoodness I loved them. Lots of egg and cheese omelets, creamed potatoes, anything that didn't involve much chewing as you mentioned. MILKSHAKES are good and filling. This will be a tough time with your pregnancy hunger but definitely help with weight issues. You won't be crunching on any potato chips for a long while.

i had them until 19 (whole time i was pregnant with 1st child) and yes, you'll be able to eat. the pain at the beginning and when they get adjusted is awful, I remember it feeling like my teeth hit a brick wall! I would just take Tylenol around the clock while you're in pain. You'll be able to eat but you really can't bite into things like sandwiches, hamburgers,ribs, and corn on the cob, without it getting all stuck in your front teeth. I used to just cut up those things and put them in the back of my mouth. Also, with sushi, I always had rice stuck all in my braces, but just dealt with it since I couldn't give it up and the bites are so big, you can't really cut it up. You'll get used to them though and it'll be worth with. Your teeth will feel so silky smooth when they come off, you won't be able to stop running your teeth over them! good luck!