I swear, the “safe foods” list just keeps shrinking after every tightening. My kid used to love applesauce, but then suddenly it was “too slimy.” I tried those little cups of mashed potatoes—nope, “too weird.” Cold stuff did seem to help sometimes, but other times it was just about what looked least suspicious. Our fridge looked like a science experiment. And yeah, the grocery bill… don’t even get me started.
Every single time we get through a tightening, I think, “Okay, maybe we’ve figured out what works now,” but nope. My daughter suddenly decided yogurt was “too gloopy” and even plain pasta got the side-eye. It’s like nothing is safe for more than a week. I’m constantly worried she’s not eating enough, and honestly, the stress of trying to guess what will be acceptable next is exhausting. Our kitchen looks like a buffet of random things—half of which go untouched. I hear you on the grocery bill... it’s wild how much we spend just trying to keep her comfortable.
Our kitchen looks like a buffet of random things—half of which go untouched.
That made me laugh because it’s so real. After every tightening, my kid suddenly hates whatever food I stocked up on “for her teeth.” Last time, she wouldn’t touch mashed potatoes but ate scrambled eggs for three days straight. It’s wild how their preferences flip. As long as she’s getting something soft with a bit of protein and some calories, you’re doing just fine. The worry is normal, but they really do bounce back quick—even if the grocery bill doesn’t.
As long as she’s getting something soft with a bit of protein and some calories, you’re doing just fine.
I get where you’re coming from, but do you ever worry about the lack of variety? When my braces were tightened, I’d get so bored of the “safe” foods that I’d just stop eating much at all for a day or two. Scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes are fine, but sometimes I think pushing for more options—like smoothies or even soft pasta—can help with appetite and mood. Anyone else find that sticking to one or two foods backfires after a while?
I get where you’re coming from, but do you ever worry about the lack of variety?
Honestly, I think you’re on to something. It’s true that “something soft with a bit of protein and some calories” is technically enough, but I’ve seen so many people—kids especially—just lose interest in eating when the food gets repetitive. I remember a patient’s mom telling me her son flat-out refused eggs after his second tightening because he was so sick of them.
There’s actually a psychological side to this too. Food boredom can make recovery feel like more of a chore than it needs to be. Even just rotating things like yogurt, cottage cheese, avocado, or soft-cooked rice can make a difference. Smoothies are great, especially if you sneak in things like nut butter or oats for extra calories.
I get that it’s tempting to stick with what works, but branching out (even a little) can really help with mood and appetite. Sometimes it’s not about nutrition alone—it’s about making the whole experience less miserable.
