DD's got a new brace... what to feed her??

[SarahShattered]

Hi everyone,

I've posted this in OS, but thought I'd ask here too. I hope that's ok.

I need some help. My DD1 has just been fitted with a brace for the first time. It's a removable one, but she has to leave in all the time. I'm really unsure about the whole braces thing, it's our first experience of it.

She's getting stomach ache, and feeling a bit sick, which the orthodontist explained was the build up of stomach acid. Because the brain thinks the mouth is eating, so it's prepares the stomach to receive food.

She's been advised to eat soft, non-sticky food - nothing hard that could break her brace, and also her molars are covered which means she can't chew or grind food down.

I feel at a loss to know how to manage this. HEEELLLLLPPPP please!

[lola34]

I remember having a brace when I was younger - but didn't have my molars covered, I would have thought she would be able to eat most foods that would break up easily eg bread, veg, cereals, eggs in fact anything etc the main problem would be meat, I could eat everything just avoid chewing gum at all costs as it sticks, also the top of the mouth can get very soft after a long time wearing a brace- don't know how long she has to wear it? I'm talking months here I had mine for about 3 years - and once took it off and cut the roof of my mouth with a crisp - still feel the scar years later. Hope this helps a little, mine was 20yrs ago so things may be slightly different now.

[SarahShattered]

also the top of the mouth can get very soft after a long time wearing a brace- don't know how long she has to wear it? I'm talking months here I had mine for about 3 years - and once took it off and cut the roof of my mouth with a crisp - still feel the scar years later.

:eek: :eek: poor you. ouch!

That is really useful, I wouldn't have thought about that. Thank you for the warning. :)

[Toothsmith]

In a few days time, she'll be eating anything and everything she usually ate.

It is a bit of a shock to start with, but kids are very adaptable, and once she's got the knack of eating with it, she'll be off.

having the molars covered doesn't stop a kid chewing, but chewing on the plastic instead of the teeth does feel strange to start with.

My son has a fixed appliance at the moment. A couple of visits ago, to keep his front teeth apart so that a front tooth could be moved over the bite, the orthodontist stuck a couple of blobs of filling material on his back molars. It was like he had a couple of chewy mints stuck to his back teeth! He whinged a bit, and dribbled his first meal all over the place! He was soon eating again though - can't keep him off food for long!

It's very important that the brace is in 24/7 - only taken out to clean. So be supportive, but be tough with her. If she starts getting into the habit of 'just popping it out' for this that and the other, then she'll be wearing it forever.

[SarahShattered]

Thanks for that Toothsmith. It's very reassuring, and helpful. I'll explain to her about how odd chewing on the plastic feels, but that it's ok to do it.

I am a mean old cow, so she will not be removing it for anything other than cleaning it! :D :D :D

[Toothsmith]

I am a mean old cow, so she will not be removing it for anything other than cleaning it! :D :D :D


Good girl!

She'll thank you for it one day!

[lola34]

Good girl!

She'll thank you for it one day!

She will - best thing I did only regret not having one on the bottom set too:rolleyes: a friend of mine recently got one and it has cost £1000:eek:

[SarahShattered]

Thanks guys.... that's really useful. I love MSE, there's such a wealth of info it's amazing! :D

[minerva_windsong]

Never had a brace, but here is what I lived on when I had a throat infection and basically couldn't eat properly:

- Bread dunked in soup/vegetable broth (literally vegetable bouillon powder in water - didn't actually taste that terrible
- Cereal soaked in milk
- Scrambled egg (I would mix tomatoes, cheese etc into it to make it taste of something)

I also ate sweets that would dissolve in my mouth (chocolate buttons were a particular favourite) and a little bit of ice cream in the first few days to keep my blood sugar up as I was seriously struggling to eat. Multivitamins that are easy to swallow (possibly Boots own brand ones?) are probably worth it as well to make sure she gets her nutrients if her diet is limited.

[Toothsmith]

It won't be limited for very long!

[Alikay]

Slightly off topic but... Your daughter will probably get terrible ulcers (only for the first fortnight or so though) Be patient with her - DD couldn't smile so looked permanently miserable for the first week! She found Anbesol liquid really helpful and effective, only about £3 from Superdrug/Boots etc.

[SarahShattered]

Thanks again guys! We're one week in now, and as predicted, she's settled down, and is now eating normally again.

Thanks once again for your help. :D