Food Ideas for Teen with New Braces

I made generous use of the blender when my daughter got hers. She ate many smoothies. MAshed potatoes, soups. We cut thingis up really small.
She ate canned fruit and spaghetti O's went down pretty well.
Applesauce
He'll be fine in a couple days and will not starve. He'll be miserable though.

I remember those days!! I would try Motrin it works better for me for pain. Also, did they give you wax to put over the sharp edges that will cut down on the rubbing and cutting up the inside of his mouth. I lived on milkshakes for a few days. I remember my mom even made me her own smoothies with fruit to try to keep me nourished. Maybe you can get some ideas for making your own healthy smoothies to keep him hydrated and nourished. Scrambled eggs, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, ice cream, yogurt drinks, etc. But I think the milkshakes, and smoothies have the most calories and will keep him full.

My son is finishing up with braces (2 yrs) and I had them for 7 yrs.
Right after they get put in or after they get adjusted is the worst of the pain. It'll get better day by day and be completely gone in a week (give or take a few days - everyone's pain threshold is a little different). My son doesn't feel like eating much either at those times, but a few days never hurt anyone. Just make sure he keeps his fluids up.
Soups, yogurt, broth, mashed potatoes, squash, scrambled eggs, etc.
Try not too worry. He and you will get through this and when it's all over, his teeth will be easier to care for for the rest of his life and his smile will be dazzling!

Lots of omelots was what I lived on when I had braces and also our teen son. Egg and cheese ... egg and whatever they like. It's soft, high in protein and good. Of course, soup of any kind. After I got my braces off, I could hardly eat soup for a few years I had so much during that year 1/2. Hopefully his discomfort will lessen after a week or so each time he has an ortho. appointment.

oh, i remember those days. it's no fun getting accustomed to braces. fruit smoothies, shakes, and soups will be his best friends for the next few days. assure him that he WILL adjust and it won't stay this bad.
khairete
S.

I didn't read all the responses but what works well is fruit baby food and applesauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc, and soup. And it all depends on your son and how he handles the discomfort associated when he eats, as he gets use to the braces. Good luck!!!! :-)

You have received some really great suggestions, the wax is a life saver, and you will find more foods as you get your head into the braces game, a Google search will help and a good quality whey protein powder to mix into the shakes helps for nutrition. The main thing I want to add is for pain relief and healing. My ortho didn't offer this advice, but my GP did: for instant pain relief use chilren's liquid benedryl (store brand works)--mix 2 parts benedryl to 1 part water and swish around in the mouth, then spit it out. The benedryl instantly numbs mucous membrane stopping the pain and can be used as often as needed. For faster healing when the cuts appear inside the mouth mix 50% benedryl with 50% milk of magnesia (again, store brand) and apply to the cuts with a Q-tip, the benedryl stops the pain and the milk of magnesia speeds healing, seemingly overnight. I don't know why the milk of magnesia works, but it does. Fifteen years later I still use this mix if I get a sore spot in my mouth or if I bite my cheek or tongue when chewing. My second suggestion is a Water Pik. He can use warm salty water in it to reduce irritation on the gums and keep those braces clean, clean, clean. For those days when the mouth is too sore to brush properly, the Water Pik will save him from bacteria buildup that can stain his teeth, create cavities and cause gum disease. I still love my Water Pik and add a bit of mouthwash to the water for that super clean feeling and fresh breath.

I have a great protein drink for you if you are interested. My son healed quickly and flew through getting his wisdom teeth out on these. We drink them daily at my house all the time. Tastes like a milk shake to me because I add a banana or strawberries, a little ice and put in blender.

I just put whatever we were having to eat in the blender! it looked gross, but tasted the same. "a bowl of barf" is what my son called his meals for the first few days!

I agree with Margie M...it only last a few days. Then there will be some discomfort at each tightening, but nothing like this first time. My boys ate all normal foods after the 1st week. In the meantime, you are doing a great job of offering fluid options!

poor baby...i got my braces then went straight to summer day camp where Mom packed me a sandwich not knowing how much pain i'd be in. oh boy! couldn't eat anything! i'm no help at all, i don't remember what i ate, but i can definitely relate to those sore teeth....sorry mama. :)

Im a bit late on this one but all the suggestions are the same from me lol but when my son had his braces the wires they used were very different. They would relax with cold so my son would drink a cold glass of milk or anything else that was cold for temporary relief & I do mean temporary but every little bit helped. Ask his ortho about those wires.

Updated

Im a bit late on this one but all the suggestions are the same from me lol but when my son had his braces the wires they used were very different. They would relax with cold so my son would drink a cold glass of milk or anything else that was cold for temporary relief & I do mean temporary but every little bit helpede. Ask his ortho about those wires.

I know it sounds crazy, but I remember taking my favorite cereal and letting it sit in milk to get soggy. My mom spoiled me with Captain's Crunch which really gets soggy and not too disgusting. Not healthy, but wonderful. I also remember lots of mashed potatoes and gravy as well as cutting things into very tiny bites.

Breyers mint chocolate chip doesn't have any dye in it if you want to try that. And it is yummy!

MASH POTATOES! When I had braces with spacers and the stupid bands, we had that almost every night. Shepard's pie was also a good one. Umm I ate a lot of soups and casseroles. It was almost 10 years ago so I don't remember a whole lot. And the soups weren't just broth, but more of chowder type.

my son just got braces on in September he has the palate expander but not the jaw posts I am here to tell you it does get easier.
Yogurt( if he will eat it) grilled cheese, potatoes, Oatmeal, otter pops
( I dont know why but if you are not well in my house you want otter pops). Ibuprofen at bed time seems to help