My daughter had braces before her bridge, and honestly, the adjustment wasn't nearly as rough as when the braces first went on. She did have some mild sensitivity for a few days, but nothing like that initial soreness from tightening wires. Eating crunchy stuff was tricky again for a bit—chips were off-limits (tragic, I know)—but she bounced back pretty quickly. Did your orthodontist mention how long you'd have between braces coming off and getting the bridge? That might help ease the transition a bit...
When I got my bridge, I didn't have braces first, but the adjustment wasn't too bad either. Honestly, the weirdest part was just getting used to how it felt in my mouth—like something foreign was always there. Eating took a little practice; sandwiches felt awkward at first because biting down evenly was tricky. Did your orthodontist suggest any temporary solutions or appliances between braces removal and the bridge placement? That might help with comfort and chewing...
"Eating took a little practice; sandwiches felt awkward at first because biting down evenly was tricky."
Glad you mentioned sandwiches—I was wondering about that exact thing! I'm getting my bridge soon and honestly, feeling pretty nervous about the whole "foreign object" sensation. Good to hear it gets easier with practice though...
I remember when I first got my bridge, sandwiches were definitely a bit of a challenge at first. Felt like I was biting down unevenly and had to relearn how to chew properly. But honestly, after a week or two, it just became second nature. Now I don't even notice it's there most of the time...except when I'm flossing, haha. You'll probably adjust quicker than you think—just give yourself some patience and time.
That's reassuring to hear, actually. My daughter is getting her bridge next week, and she's already nervous about eating her favorite foods again—especially crunchy stuff like apples or chips. Did you find certain foods took longer to get comfortable with, or was it mostly just sandwiches and softer things at first? Just trying to figure out how to prep her (and myself!) for the adjustment period...
