How long do I have to wait after getting braces to eat normally again?

Question

I have had braces since 3 weeks now, and eating hard things is still pretty painful. I can't eat chips, biscuits or nuts. Worst part is that I can't eat a pizza cause of the thick base. I was wondering if eating will ever become completely normal while I have them on.

Michael Ayzin, DDS · Answer

Thanks for you question. A lot of patients are going through an adaption period after geting braces. It is different for everybody. Most patients get used to a new situation much quicker then others. Be patient. You might want to take some Tylenol for any discomfort. Dental soft wax often helps to make it more comfortable, if anytrhing sharp it bothing your lips or cheeks. Ask your dentist if you are a candidate for Invisalign. If so, option would be to switch and proceed with clear aligners.Good luck.

Michael Ragan, DDS · Answer

No matter how you move teeth, with either traditional braces, Invisalign, or small movement retainers, tooth sensitivity is just part of it.  An inflammation occurs just like after an injury to the body. This inflammation is under the surface between the bone and the tooth and requires time to heal.  However, we have found through multiple studies and patients experience in the office that when the teeth are sore, the best thing to do is chew more.  Its like a sore muscle, the best thing is to work out again.    We use a tooth chewy or rubber wafer to chew the soreness out.  Patients who do not chew on the chewy are sore for 1 to 2 weeks, while those who chew on the chewy are only sore for a day or two.  Ask your orthodontist if they have chewy's to help with this.

A Vandiveer Strait, DDS (Retired)- Acct. Suspended · Answer

Unfortunately without starting over the answer is no, because even if your pain and sensitivity go away you will still have the problem of food catching and lodging all around your braces. This could have been avoided had you had Invisalign orthodontics instead of Old fashioned traditional orthodontics. .  Wires and brackets are antiquated technology. The reason your teeth are sensitive to biting or even painful as you state is because the orthodontist has to guess how much pressure he puts on the teeth.  If he puts on too little pressure the teeth will not move.  Unfortunately the ideal amount of pressure is not something anyone can "guess" accurately and therefore most of the time the orthodontist places greater than the ideal amount of pressure.  The solution for this was invented 20+ years ago by Align the company responsible for Invisalign.   Invisalign uses computer technology to place the ideal amount of force on the teeth which results in a very comfortable orthodontic process.  Using Invisalign also greatly increases the speed of the orthodontic movement since excessive pressure not only causes pain but since it is crushing the periodontal ligament around the teeth it is also slowing down the movement of the teeth.  I personally have treated some 1000 Invisalign cases over the past 21 years and the vast majority of these cases were completed in between 6 months and one year.

How long do I have to wait after getting braces to eat normally again?

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How long do I have to wait after getting braces to eat normally again?

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Everything you need to know about Braces

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