Q&A for How to Eat With Separators in Your Mouth

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  • Question
    It really hurts to chew, what other kinds of food can I eat?
    Community Answer
    Soup, yogurt, milkshakes, ice cream, applesauce, cottage cheese, etc. Anything that doesn't involve a lot of chewing. Remember, the pain will only last a day or two.
  • Question
    How do you make separators stay in your mouth?
    Community Answer
    Separators should stay in your mouth as long as you avoid certain actions. Do not eat sticky food, which can easily dislodge separators. You should also avoid flossing in spaces between your teeth filled by separators. Brush your teeth back and forth, rather than up and down, to avoid dislodging separators.
  • Question
    What can I do if it hurts me to even chew soft food?
    Community Answer
    Drink high calorie fruit shakes, smoothies and soups.
  • Question
    Do hot drinks effect the plastic orthodontic spacers?
    Community Answer
    No they do not, as the plastic they are made from cannot be affected by hot liquid.
  • Question
    Can I eat chili from Wendy's after I get my spacers in?
    Community Answer
    You should be able to eat Wendy's chili, depending on the amount of chewing required and your pain tolerance. The less chewing required, the less painful it will be.
  • Question
    How do you deal with the pain of separators before braces?
    Community Answer
    Pain can be managed through use of over-the-counter pain medication, like Tylenol. Also, eating soft foods and chewing slowly can minimize pain associated with separators.
  • Question
    What should I do if my gums bleed?
    Community Answer
    You should consult your dentist or orthodontist to see what amount of bleeding is normal.
  • Question
    If one of the spacers falls out, can I put it back in myself?
    Community Answer
    If a spacer falls out because of flossing/chewing, it's best to consult the orthodontist.
  • Question
    I have to get braces in 6 days, and my spacers hurt like crazy! How do I make them stop hurting?
    Community Answer
    All you can do is take pain relievers and eat soft foods.
  • Question
    Do they hurt when they go in?
    Community Answer
    No, but you will feel pretty sore for 2-3 hours after. The pain is very mild and only lasts about a day or two.
  • Question
    If I let the cereal soak in the milk can I eat it because it will be soft then?
    Community Answer
    Probably - give it a try.
  • Question
    I love nuts and can eat them without any pain. Can they dislodge my separators?
    Community Answer
    Make sure to use the sides that don't have the separators to eat. Then the risk is lower of one popping out. If you can eat them without pain it should be fine. You might want to contact your orthodontist to be sure, though.
  • Question
    It's been a little over 3 days, and I still can barely eat anything, even though I am taking pain medication and eating soft foods. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Just push through it, you'll feel better soon.
  • Question
    How long will my teeth hurt?
    Community Answer
    Although they are sometimes very painful, they are usually only in place for one to two weeks. Spacers can also cause toothaches and gum pain because of the constant pressure against the patient's teeth. This can be relieved with painkillers.
  • Question
    Will vanilla wafers damage separators?
    Community Answer
    Not really, but it may cause discomfort and pain, depending on how sore your mouth is when you eat them.
  • Question
    Can I eat ramen with spacers?
    Community Answer
    Ramen is pretty soft so that shouldn't be a problem.
  • Question
    Can I eat a hamburger with separators on?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as you've had them in long enough that you're not in any pain, you can eat a hamburger.
  • Question
    Why do spacers hurt so bad?
    Community Answer
    They hurt because they're actually moving your teeth inward. The slow shift can cause pain in the gums. Also, as a general rule, mouth pain is just worse than pain in most other areas of the body.
  • Question
    Will brushing my teeth affect my separators at all?
    Community Answer
    No. Brushing your teeth is necessary, even when you have separators.
  • Question
    Will Orajel give me any relief from the pain my separators are causing?
    Community Answer
    Very temporary relief. Orajel is not a long-term remedy.
  • Question
    How could I not get bothered by the spacers?
    Community Answer
    Take painkillers and chew soft foods. You'll probably always be bothered by them to some extent.
  • Question
    Can I eat peanut butter with separators in my mouth?
    Community Answer
    No, because peanut butter is considered a sticky type of food and could dislodge your separators.
  • Question
    Can I have cereal with dried fruit in it?
    Community Answer
    Yes, although I would avoid chewing with the back of your mouth too much. If you experience any problems, don't continue eating the cereal.
  • Question
    Can I eat a doughnut if I have separators in my mouth?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how sticky the doughnut is. It is very sugary, so if you do, floss your teeth where the separators are not placed. It is probably best to not have a doughnut though but to instead find other tasty treats that are good for your teeth.
  • Question
    I just got my separators in today and I'm getting my braces tomorrow. Is that normal?
    Jaidyn Brandel
    Community Answer
    It may be normal, depending on how bad your teeth are. Really bad teeth have braces on for longer, you probably have an open space for braces but need a little more space.
  • Question
    Can I skip brushing and flossing my teeth while I have spacers on, and just use mouth wash to clean my mouth?
    Community Answer
    No! The only thing different is to not floss where the spacers are and try to brush front to back not up and down where they are at as well. You're trying to minimize the chance of them falling out, not completely deny your entire mouth of cleaning because you have spacers. You can still floss everywhere the spacers are not.
  • Question
    My spacer fell out, and I didn't realise where it had gone. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Just tell your orthodontist that they fell out and see what they say. It's not a big deal.
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