Fixed braces advice

Lemonkitty · 2025-08-16T11:34:33+00:00

My 16yr old is having fixed braces next week. The list of food not to eat seems to be huge. Is it really as bad as it seems? He is really depressed by it. He loves steak, ribs, raisins, bagels and they all seem no goes. Also there is no way he would clean his teeth at school, will he be ok doing it at 3.30 when he gets home. Any general advice to make it go easier would be much appreciated.

LemonTraybake · 16/08/2025 15:46

I would say they are no goes, yes, as are popcorn and chewing gum, but generally there is so much food he can still eat, I doubt he'll notice the loss too much.

He can definitely wait to brush his teeth after school, yes.

Jowak1 · 16/08/2025 16:04

My daughter has fixed braces and hasn’t stopped eating anything! The dentist at her last appointment even commented on how well she was cleaning her teeth with her braces on . She still chews gum too. I would tell you son not too worry.

TeenToTwenties · 16/08/2025 16:07

Not whole apples or toffee.
Don't crunch ice.

That was about it for DD.

Original poster

Lemonkitty · 16/08/2025 17:34

Thank you, that’s really good to hear.

OP posts:

RentalWoesNotFun · 16/08/2025 17:37

I couldn’t eat a damn thing for a week each time it was tightened. Only soup or yoghurt. It was agony. Yet some others dont seem to have a problem.

So I’d suggest getting a lot of soft stuff in just in case. Dont say anything though, no point in upsetting dc for something that might not happen.

I don’t know if it’s still relevant but they gave me wax stuff to jam on the fixings for a bit of relief as they were cutting into my cheeks. They didn’t on the first visit as they “forgot”. I didn’t know to ask. So my cheeks were scarred for many years. In fact i can still feel slight scarring now over 20 years on. So if that’s still a Thing make sure to ask for it.

TeenToTwenties · 16/08/2025 17:47

The time the fixed bits are most likely to come off is the first 48hrs until the cement has hardened so you have to be extra careful then.

ScanTheCan · 16/08/2025 17:54

Colgate Wisps might be good for school?

TheFunnyPinkWriter · 17/08/2025 16:58

Both of mine have fixed top and bottom braces.
They eat what they like by breaking it into smaller pieces and making sure they chew with their back teeth, that's what our orthodontist told us to do.
They brush their teeth twice a day, again on the advise if our orthodontist

twistyizzy · 17/08/2025 19:35

DD had fixed braces 3 months ago. First rew days is critical as PP said but she had sore gums for first week anyway so didn't really want to eat much.
She now eats pretty much anything but cutting it into small pieces. She has never drunk fizzy drinks/many sweets etc so they aren't a miss for her.
Her dentist gave her a pack of Mouthwash, 3 types of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a travel set to take to school. She also has bands and springs so had to deal with all that too.

Original poster

Lemonkitty · 17/08/2025 21:51

Thank you everyone. I feel much better about it now. Had got into a bit of a panic about it all.

OP posts:

GrumpyExpat · 17/08/2025 21:54

My daughter still eats steak and has bagels almost everyday. He just needs to be a bit careful, take smaller bites. Raisins do sound tricky, probably a total pain to remove from the brackets.
Do give him ibuprofen immediately after they are fixed. They are quite painful for the first week.

SlinkyDog1 · 20/08/2025 22:54

I echo what @RentalWoesNotFun suggested and buy some putty beforehand as that does come in handy for covering the sharp edges of the wire. I also bought my DC the sore throat spray and they used that to spray around the gums and mouth to numb the pain a bit.

Divebar2021 · 20/08/2025 22:57

Thr only thing DD avoided was corn on the cob

As an aside have you got a water flosser? I’d say it was fairly key for cleaning fixed braces.

mamansloth · 21/08/2025 00:09

Jowak1 · 16/08/2025 16:04

My daughter has fixed braces and hasn’t stopped eating anything! The dentist at her last appointment even commented on how well she was cleaning her teeth with her braces on . She still chews gum too. I would tell you son not too worry.

Mine is exactly the same. Nothing has been off limits. We are just nearing the end of the braces journey after 2.5 long years, and apart from one dose of paracetamol once, we have had zero issues. No brackets broken, no food off limit and likewise always commended on great brushing.
Also the water flosser is a great suggestion. Ours has been a brilliant purchase.

nicky823 · 21/08/2025 06:54

Ohh thanks I’ll get one.

Betty197 · 21/08/2025 08:22

My daughter has top and bottom fixed braces and the only thing she struggles with is a full apple. She just cuts it. Apart from that, everything goes. Easier than when she had her top removal brace

TheignT · 21/08/2025 08:27

RentalWoesNotFun · 16/08/2025 17:37

I couldn’t eat a damn thing for a week each time it was tightened. Only soup or yoghurt. It was agony. Yet some others dont seem to have a problem.

So I’d suggest getting a lot of soft stuff in just in case. Dont say anything though, no point in upsetting dc for something that might not happen.

I don’t know if it’s still relevant but they gave me wax stuff to jam on the fixings for a bit of relief as they were cutting into my cheeks. They didn’t on the first visit as they “forgot”. I didn’t know to ask. So my cheeks were scarred for many years. In fact i can still feel slight scarring now over 20 years on. So if that’s still a Thing make sure to ask for it.

I used to buy it, advised to have it but not given it. OP definitely get dental wax in as it can be uncomfortable but as to food I can't remember my DD giving up anything.

TheignT · 21/08/2025 08:27

RentalWoesNotFun · 16/08/2025 17:37

I couldn’t eat a damn thing for a week each time it was tightened. Only soup or yoghurt. It was agony. Yet some others dont seem to have a problem.

So I’d suggest getting a lot of soft stuff in just in case. Dont say anything though, no point in upsetting dc for something that might not happen.

I don’t know if it’s still relevant but they gave me wax stuff to jam on the fixings for a bit of relief as they were cutting into my cheeks. They didn’t on the first visit as they “forgot”. I didn’t know to ask. So my cheeks were scarred for many years. In fact i can still feel slight scarring now over 20 years on. So if that’s still a Thing make sure to ask for it.

I used to buy it, advised to have it but not given it. OP definitely get dental wax in as it can be uncomfortable but as to food I can't remember my DD giving up anything.

RentalWoesNotFun · 21/08/2025 09:59

Ah it’s called dental wax. Good to know so you can ask for it. In fact I’d just be ordering it now or buying in the chemist if it’s available just in case they don’t give you it.

Why have scarring if you don’t have to.

I used chewing gum as I didn't know such things existed. I can’t remember if it was a total mess with the chewing gum or not but it did in an emergency.

obviously if you can get the proper stuff to stop permanent damage to the cheeks why wouldn’t you.

TheignT · 21/08/2025 12:29

Just did a quick check and Boots do a twin pack for £5.75. It will probably last ages and I wouldn't take the risk of them giving you some. Well worth having it and a twin pack is ideal, one in his school bag and one in his bedroom.

Meredusoleil · 21/08/2025 13:08

We bought a 10 pack of dental wax off Amazon when dd1 had her braces. She hardly used any, so we still have loads left for dd2 who has just got hers! I would recommend looking on there as it's cheaper than Boots.