You can eat with spacers, but the process requires significant adjustments to your diet and chewing habits. Orthodontic spacers, also known as separators, are small elastic or metal rings placed between the molars for one to two weeks. Their purpose is to gently push these back teeth apart, creating space for the orthodontist to install metal bands that anchor the braces. This temporary device is a necessary precursor to orthodontic treatment, allowing the hardware to be fitted without difficulty.
Why Eating is Challenging with Spacers
The primary difficulty in eating stems from the mechanical action of the spacer itself. Spacers exert continuous pressure to widen the tight contact points between your molars. This movement causes tenderness and soreness, particularly when biting or chewing is applied to the area. The sensation can feel like food is perpetually caught between your teeth, which indicates the spacer is working.
The physical presence of the spacer introduces a mechanical risk to your diet. Hard, sticky, or chewy foods can either compress the spacer, causing it to fall out, or adhere to it and pull it free from the teeth. Dislodging a spacer prematurely can cause the newly created space to close, potentially delaying your treatment timeline and requiring an emergency replacement. Therefore, the restrictions on food are less about preventing pain and more about safeguarding the appliance and the progress of your treatment.
Essential Safe Eating Guidelines
The most important rule for eating with spacers is to transition to a diet composed primarily of soft and semi-liquid foods. This minimizes the chewing effort required and reduces the chance of damaging the spacer. Aim for foods that can be mashed, easily cut, or swallowed with minimal manipulation by the molars.
Foods that are strictly forbidden include anything crunchy, hard, sticky, or excessively chewy. Avoid items such as chewing gum, caramel, taffy, licorice, popcorn, nuts, ice, and hard candies. Even foods that require a strong bite, like raw carrots or apples, must be cut into very small pieces or cooked until soft.
Recommended soft foods include:
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurt
- Oatmeal
- Mashed potatoes
- Well-cooked pasta
- Soft cheeses
- Soups
Smoothies and milkshakes are excellent options, providing nutrition without requiring any chewing. When preparing solid foods, always cut them into small, bite-sized portions before eating.
Strategies for Managing Pain While Chewing
Even with a strictly soft diet, some soreness is unavoidable because of the tooth movement the spacers induce. The initial discomfort is most intense within the first 48 hours after placement, gradually fading as your teeth adjust. Manage this sensitivity proactively by using over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
For optimal comfort during meals, take the pain reliever approximately 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to eat. This allows the medication to reach therapeutic levels in your bloodstream, dulling the ache before you begin to chew. Cold items can also provide temporary relief.
Drinking cold water or eating cold foods like ice cream, frozen yogurt, or chilled applesauce can soothe the gums and teeth. When chewing, minimize pressure on the back teeth by favoring your front teeth for cutting and grinding, or by chewing on the side of your mouth that feels less tender. Rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water solution several times a day can also reduce gum irritation.