Greek yogurt was a lifesaver when my son first got braces. He was pretty miserable at first, but smoothies and yogurt bowls really helped. Honestly, kids bounce back quicker than we think...she'll be crunching apples again before you know it.
"Honestly, kids bounce back quicker than we think...she'll be crunching apples again before you know it."
That's very true. I remember when I first got braces myself—initially, it felt like I'd never eat normally again. Greek yogurt and smoothies were definitely my go-to as well, but I also found mashed potatoes and soups incredibly helpful during those first uncomfortable days. It might sound boring at first, but you can get pretty creative with toppings or seasonings to keep things interesting.
One thing that really helped me was rinsing my mouth gently with warm salt water a couple of times a day. It seemed to ease the soreness significantly and sped up the healing process for any minor irritations from the brackets. Also, orthodontic wax became my best friend for a while—I kept some in my bag at all times just in case.
And you're right about bouncing back quickly; after about a week or two, things started feeling surprisingly normal again. Before long, I was back to eating most foods comfortably (though popcorn stayed off-limits for obvious reasons!). It's amazing how adaptable we are, especially kids—they seem to adjust even faster than adults do.
Just keep reminding her (and yourself) that this discomfort is temporary and will be worth it in the end. In fact, she'll probably forget all about these early struggles once she sees her beautiful new smile emerging...
