We made it kind of a game—who could eat without making a sound? It helped her relax.
That’s a clever approach. I actually found myself more anxious about eating in public after my dentures, but I never thought to turn it into a challenge or game. For me, the first time I tried crackers at a friend’s dinner party, I was so focused on not making a mess that I probably looked more nervous than I felt. I agree, though—background noise helps. The silence in some restaurants just makes every little crunch feel amplified. Still not totally at ease with it, but it’s getting better each time.
I totally get what you mean about the silence making everything feel louder. My kiddo was so self-conscious at first—she swore everyone could hear her “robot teeth” clicking. We started joking about who could crunch the quietest, and honestly, it took the edge off for both of us. I do think a little background noise is a lifesaver. Those fancy, quiet restaurants are just not our scene right now... give us a noisy pizza place any day. It really does get easier, even if it feels awkward at first.
