Finally figured out how to eat pizza without crying

That “food detective” thing hits way too close to home. I swear, I never thought I’d analyze mashed potatoes like I was on CSI. I get super picky about the soup thing, too - if it’s too thin, it just feels wrong, but if it’s too thick, suddenly I’m chewing my lunch instead of sipping it. It’s such a weird line.

About the baby food pouches... I caved one night when my teeth were throbbing and I couldn’t deal with anything else. Honestly? The fruit ones taste fine, kinda like applesauce, but the veggie or chicken blends are a hard pass for me. It’s not even the embarrassment, it’s just the taste. I did feel a little weird buying them though - like, do people think they’re for my imaginary toddler?

Your Greek yogurt smoothie idea sounds way better than shelling out for those protein shakes. Have you tried adding oats to make it more filling? I tried that once and it actually kept me full for a while.

if it’s too thin, it just feels wrong, but if it’s too thick, suddenly I’m chewing my lunch instead of sipping it.

That’s exactly how I feel with soups lately. There’s no winning - either it’s watery and depressing or so thick I’m worried it’ll get stuck in my teeth. The baby food pouches... I’ve done the same in a pinch, and yeah, the fruit ones are tolerable, but the veggie blends made me gag. I keep worrying the cashier is judging me, which is probably just my anxiety talking.

Haven’t tried oats in smoothies yet. I get nervous about new textures, but maybe I’ll give it a shot if you say it works.

I keep worrying the cashier is judging me, which is probably just my anxiety talking.

That hits home for me. I always feel awkward buying those pouches, like I need to explain myself. As for oats in smoothies, I was pretty hesitant too - I can’t handle anything with a weird texture. But if you blend it long enough, it’s surprisingly smooth and not gritty at all. Still, I get nervous trying new things, especially when money’s tight and I don’t want to waste ingredients on a failed experiment. It does make regular meals a bit easier on my stomach though, so maybe worth a try if you’re up for it.

Honestly, I relate to that anxiety way more than I’d like to admit. Even after years of dealing with dental stuff, I still get self-conscious at the checkout when I’m buying soft foods or those weird “meal replacement” pouches. It’s like you expect the cashier to ask if you’re okay or something. But most of the time, they’re just doing their job and probably not thinking twice about it.

About the oats - yeah, texture is a big deal for me too. After my last extraction, I tried blending oats into smoothies because someone here suggested it. Took me a couple tries to get it right (I actually made it way too thick at first and it was awful), but once I found the right ratio, it was super smooth and filling. Definitely helped when chewing was out of the question and I was tired of soup. If you’re worried about wasting ingredients, maybe just try a tiny batch first? That’s what I did - less pressure if it doesn’t work out.

And honestly, trying new foods or ways to eat can feel overwhelming when your mouth is sore and you’re already stressed. It’s totally normal to feel nervous about it. For me, little wins - like figuring out how to eat pizza again without pain - made a huge difference in my mood. It can take time, but you’ll find what works for you.

Hang in there - it really does get easier with practice (and a good blender).

Getting back to eating pizza is a huge milestone - I totally get why that feels like a win. I still remember the first time I managed to eat a slice after my braces went on... wasn’t pretty, but it felt like progress. The anxiety at the store is real, too. I’ve caught myself overthinking what people might notice, but honestly, most folks are too busy to care. You’re right, experimenting with food textures gets easier over time. Small victories really do add up.

That’s honestly such a big step. Pizza was the thing I missed most after getting my braces, and yeah, eating it without wincing or worrying about sauce getting everywhere felt like a mini celebration. The store anxiety is so real - I still catch myself wondering if people notice when I chew weird, but you’re right, most folks are just in their own world. Glad to hear you’re finding those little wins. They really do make the tough days easier.

Pizza was a nightmare for me too, honestly. The first time I tried eating it with my new braces, I ended up just picking off the cheese and nibbling at the crust like a mouse. Super embarrassing, especially since I was at a friend’s birthday party and felt like everyone was watching how weirdly I chewed. That store anxiety thing is so real - sometimes I still catch myself covering my mouth when I chew, even though most people probably don’t care or notice.

I remember one day after an adjustment, my teeth were so sore that even thinking about biting into anything made me anxious. But then, a few weeks later, I managed to eat a slice (with a fork and knife, but still) without tearing up from pain. It’s wild how those tiny victories can make you feel like you’re getting your life back bit by bit. Still not brave enough for crunchy crusts yet... maybe someday.

I ended up just picking off the cheese and nibbling at the crust like a mouse. Super embarrassing, especially since I was at a friend’s birthday party and felt like everyone was watching how weirdly I chewed.

This brought back memories. I remember after getting my partials, pizza felt like an impossible food. The cheese would get stuck, the sauce would sneak under the plate, and forget about biting into the crust - felt like trying to chew on a brick. I’d end up using a fork and knife too, even at home. Honestly, I still do sometimes, just out of habit.

The anxiety about people noticing is so real, but you’re right - most folks don’t care or even notice. I used to cover my mouth when I laughed or ate for years. Eventually, you just get used to it, and the self-consciousness fades (mostly).

Tiny victories really do add up. First time I managed a whole slice without having to pause or wince, I felt like I deserved a medal. Crunchy crusts are still a hard pass for me though... not sure I’ll ever be brave enough to go there again, but never say never.

The cheese would get stuck, the sauce would sneak under the plate, and forget about biting into the crust - felt like trying to chew on a brick.

That’s such a vivid way to put it - chewing on a brick is exactly how I’d describe my first attempt at pizza after getting my own dental work done. I remember eyeing everyone else just casually chomping away and thinking, “How are they not terrified of losing a tooth?” Fork and knife became my best friends for a while, and honestly, I still get a little nervous around anything with a crispy edge. Funny how something as simple as pizza can feel like a tiny Everest.

I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I found that using a fork and knife actually made pizza feel even more awkward for me. Maybe it’s just the way I grew up eating it - hands only, folded slice, the whole deal. After I got my braces, though, I had to rethink everything. For a while, I just avoided pizza altogether because the thought of cheese getting stuck in my brackets was too much.

Eventually, I started asking for thin crust or even those “personal pan” sizes that are softer and easier to manage. It’s not quite the same as a big, cheesy slice, but it helped me feel less anxious about biting in. The crunchy crust still makes me nervous sometimes, but I’ve found that letting it cool a bit softens things up. Not saying there’s one right way, but for me, adapting how I ordered pizza made a bigger difference than switching utensils. It’s weird how much dental work changes your relationship with food...

Totally get what you mean about the fork and knife - honestly, it always feels a bit like I’m at a fancy wedding instead of just trying to eat pizza. Folding the slice is just... classic. But yeah, braces change everything. The cheese-in-brackets struggle is real.

Did you ever try using those little dental picks or water flossers after pizza? I know it’s not exactly convenient when you’re out, but I’ve seen a few people swear by them for getting that stubborn cheese out. I’m curious - did your orthodontist give you any specific food “do’s and don’ts,” or was it more trial and error on your end?

I’ve seen a lot of folks go for the softer crusts or even cut the slice into smaller bites. Personally, I always tell people to watch out for super stringy cheese, since that seems to be the worst offender for getting tangled up. Letting the pizza cool a bit is a good call, too - makes it less likely to burn your mouth *and* a bit easier on the hardware.

It’s kind of wild how something as simple as pizza can turn into a whole strategy session once you get braces...

Cutting pizza into tiny pieces with a fork and knife just feels so awkward, but honestly, I’m too scared of breaking a bracket to risk biting straight in. My ortho gave me the usual “no hard or sticky foods” talk, but pizza was kind of a gray area - like, it’s not caramel, but it’s not exactly soft either? I tried those little dental brushes after eating and they help, but I still get paranoid about missing something. The stringy cheese is definitely my nemesis… once had to excuse myself mid-bite because it got wrapped around a bracket and I panicked a little. Now I just let it cool and go slow - even if it means my friends are halfway done before I start.

I get what you mean about the cheese - seriously, it’s like it has a personal vendetta against braces. But do you really think cutting it up tiny is safer? I’ve actually had more issues with stuff getting stuck when I do that versus just folding the slice and biting carefully. Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes the fork and knife thing makes it messier.

But do you really think cutting it up tiny is safer? I’ve actually had more issues with stuff getting stuck when I do that versus just folding the slice and biting carefully.

Honestly, I totally get where you’re coming from. I tried the “cut it into tiny bits” thing because my ortho said it’d be safer, but then I spent ages picking cheese out of my brackets... Not fun. Folding the slice and just biting carefully seems less risky for me too, and it saves on napkins (and honestly, who wants to use a fork and knife on pizza?). Just gotta be super slow and chew on the side that hurts less.