I remember having a patient who mentioned something similar—she didn't even realize she was favoring one side until we pointed it out during a routine check-up.
I definitely catch myself doing this too, especially when I'm dealing with sensitivity or a sore tooth. It's funny because you don't even realize you're doing it until someone points it out or your jaw starts feeling weirdly off-balance. I actually started consciously switching sides after my dentist casually mentioned it, and it made a noticeable difference after a while. Guess our bodies just naturally try to dodge discomfort without us even noticing...
It's funny because you don't even realize you're doing it until someone points it out or your jaw starts feeling weirdly off-balance. I actually started consciously switching sides after my dentist...
I totally get this! I had the same issue when my tooth was sensitive. Didn't even realize I was chewing on one side until my jaw started feeling achy and tense. My dentist suggested switching sides consciously too, but honestly, what helped me most was using sensitive toothpaste regularly. Took a couple weeks, but it really cut down on the discomfort and made eating feel normal again. Might be worth a try if you haven't already...
I remember when my kid first got braces, she did the exact same thing—chewing only on one side without even noticing. We figured it out when she started complaining about jaw aches at dinner. Switching sides helped a bit, but honestly, what made the biggest difference was softer foods for a while and eventually getting used to the braces. Did anyone else find certain foods easier to handle during those first few weeks? Pasta practically saved us...
"Pasta practically saved us..."
Same here, pasta and mashed potatoes were my go-to. Also found scrambled eggs pretty easy to manage. Honestly, after a couple weeks, things got way easier—just hang in there.
Pasta was a lifesaver here too, but honestly, smoothies ended up being the real MVP. My kiddo got bored fast with soft foods, so blending fruits and yogurt kept things interesting. Did anyone else's kid complain about texture more than taste? Ours was super picky about anything remotely grainy or chunky... made things tricky for a bit. Curious if that's just us or a common thing.
