Any kid subject to orthodontia work is going to struggle with pain as well as hunger. Here’s our list of foods to comfort kids after a trip to the ortho.
Over the last five years we’ve ushered three of our children into the world of orthodontia. We’ve done palatal expanders, retainers, and braces, among other things that I can’t remember the names of. And each time, there’s been a challenging season of what to feed them since their mouths are so sore.
Lucky for them, I broke my jaw in college, so I can definitely empathize with an inability to chew and mouth pain.
The general advice is “soft foods” but that can feel overwhelming when you’re used to a regular diet of pizza and tacos. Here are some of the things that have been helpful in our repertoire of foods that comfort kids after orthodontia.
For when they can’t chew:
- DIY Smoothies (add some protein powder for extra oomph)
- Yogurt with Maple Syrup or Honey
- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
- Roasted Vegetable Soup
- Milk Shakes
- Pureed Butternut Squash (You can also puree other vegetables, like carrots or sweet potatoes)
- Crockpot Applesauce (can be made with pears, too)
For later when they can chew a little:
- Raspberry Baked Oatmeal
- Rice Pudding
- Chicken Noodle Soup
What soft foods do YOU recommend?
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for posting this!!!! My 7-year-old has to have 5 teeth pulled soon to make room for his adult teeth to come in. I was wondering what to give him after as I figured his mouth would be quite sore.
Ouch! That sounds like a rough day!
My oldest has had quite a bit of dental work done and we usually go out (for a treat) to Panera Bread for kids mac n cheese for lunch following his procedures. They offer mac n cheese and yogurt for kids, while mom gets a soup and a salad – win, win!!
Definitely a win-win. Love Panera, but haven’t been there much since we moved back to CA. It used to be my weekly stop.
This one always surprised me, but my boys were given permission to chew sugar-free gum, to help with the pain. It actually helped!
I would never have thought that would help!
My sister had jaw surgery in high school and loved the campbell’s BLT soup. I thought it was gross, but whatever.
I, on the other hand, really liked smoothies with peanut butter in them.
such a good list. My oldest just got braces two days ago and we are learning what he can tolerate to chew and not chew. Applesauce and pb&J are his friend right now. Anything he can mush against the roof of his mouth.
Exactly. My oldest is finally done with braces. His appetite is so thankful!
What a great post! These are nice, healthy suggestions, too!
My son’s favorite comfort food (after a trip to the ortho, or otherwise) is ramen noodles with lots of garlic, green onions, and tender veg. He also likes hot sauce on it- somehow the burn helps to cancel out some of the pain. (-:
The idea of hot sauce numbing the pain makes me laugh. Cute!
When I had braces my mom (of 4) took us to some place where we had to chew right away. My sister and I usually had Subway and my brothers usually went for a burger and a malt. I think it must have helped because I never had trouble chewing. But I wish I would have had these recipes when I had my wisdom teeth out!
I still have my wisdom teeth. And since I am a lightweight when it comes to dental work (the anesthesia knocks me loopy for days), I’m taking my wisdom teeth to the grave.
My daughter just got braces last week. Fortunately, she love smoothies and soups. Now she can chew most anything if cut into small pieces. Kitchen scissors to the rescue!
My ortho told us not to do soft foods after my son had regular braces put on. He said it would make it take longer for the soreness to go away. They even gave us a hard plastic thing my son dubbed his “chew toy” for him to chew on. It was supposed to help toughen stuff up. Its funny how they all have different recommendations.
That said, we always get milk shakes after dental work, it’s a tradition now!
Well, that’s interesting. I’ve never heard that — and we’ve had two different orthos.
This combo began when I had a horrible sore throat, years ago, but is perfect for sore days after ortho visits: Cream of Wheat, with a bit of brown sugar, peanut butter, and handful of chocolate chips melted/stirred in… and don’t forget several more choc chips to garnish the top and stir/swirl in your bowl. It is a huge family favorite anytime, at our house.
Cocowheats (cooked cereal) egg salad, lots of ice cream and pudding. Mini containers of yogurt, applesauce and pudding are good if you are going on car trip – just pack in insulated container
Hated going to the orthodontist! I had to go back in my mid 20′s to get my lower retainer repaired and it felt like post traumatic stress disorder. I liked thick hearty soups, milk shakes, pudding, and rice.
I ate so much applesauce when I had braces that now I can’t stand the stuff. It kind of makes me teeth ache to eat it, just from the memory. Thanks for other ideas for when my kids are in the same boat.
I used to be an orthodontic assistant and I had braces, so I can sympathize! Here’s what we recommended:
pasta, rice, yogurt, soup (this is a big one!), mashed anything, protein shakes, ice cream=), ground meats (as opposed to chicken breast and the like, too tough for sore mouths), oatmeal and scrambled eggs. And lots of patience and some ibuprofen.
Shakes and mashed potato are the favorites here. I often treat the kids to a jamba juice smoothie right after their appt. The ice cold drink helps with the pain.
It’s been a long time ago, but on the night we’d had our braces tightened, Mom always made spaghetti!
Our son just had his wisdom teeth out several weeks ago. I have a recipe for “zesty potato soup” which is very tasty and I put it in the blender for the first day. I also made vegetable soup and blended it up, and he ate it in the dim, dim light (for everyone’s sake since it looked nasty). Milkshakes with chocolate ice cream, protein powder and peanut butter was a huge hit, and he also really liked the fish. Pudding and Jello was also served, but he preferred the more filling foods (he is 16).
Forgot to add, scrambled eggs worked well too