Totally agree about oatmeal being a lifesaver. When I first got braces, my mouth felt like it was under siege for days. Scrambled eggs were okay, but honestly, even those felt a bit too much at first. Dairy definitely made things feel sticky and uncomfortable for me too, so I avoided cheese and yogurt for a while.
One thing that really helped me was mashed sweet potatoes—warm, soft, and filling without being too bland. I'd add a little cinnamon or maple syrup to keep things interesting. Smoothies were also great, but I had to be careful with acidic fruits like pineapple or oranges because they stung like crazy. Bananas, berries, and almond milk worked best for me.
It's funny how quickly you become an expert on soft foods when your mouth is sore...
Mashed sweet potatoes sound great, but personally, I found that anything too sweet or sugary—even natural sugars—sometimes irritated my mouth more. I leaned more toward savory options like blended soups (butternut squash or lentil were my go-tos). They were filling, nutritious, and didn't leave that lingering sweetness. Funny how everyone's mouth reacts differently... guess it's all trial and error until you find your comfort zone.
"Funny how everyone's mouth reacts differently... guess it's all trial and error until you find your comfort zone."
Totally agree with this. Savory soups were easier for me too, especially lentil or potato leek. Weirdly though, I found that adding a bit of coconut milk helped soothe irritation—maybe the fats coat the mouth or something? Sweet stuff was definitely a no-go, even fruit smoothies felt harsh sometimes. Guess it's really about experimenting and seeing what clicks...
Totally relate to the coconut milk thing—makes sense since fats can create a protective barrier. For me, lukewarm scrambled eggs were a lifesaver. Sounds weird, but the soft texture and mild flavor didn't irritate my gums at all. Oddly enough, yogurt was hit or miss... sometimes soothing, other times it stung a bit. Guess it depends on acidity or something? Like you said, it's all about trial and error until you find your own comfort foods.
Haha, scrambled eggs were my go-to as well—felt like a toddler again, honestly. Yogurt betrayed me too often, but mashed potatoes...now those were loyal friends. Soft, warm, and zero surprises.
