Reviewed By Dr. Jeffery Kesecker, DDS
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Eating may feel a little awkward after getting a temporary anchorage device (TAD), especially while the area is tender. Starting with soft foods and avoiding foods that put pressure on the new TAD can make those first few days more comfortable.
Table of Contents
Best Foods to Eat After Getting a TAD
During the first day, foods that require very little chewing are usually the easiest choice. Options may include:
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Smooth soups
- Mashed potatoes
- Scrambled eggs
- Oatmeal
- Cottage cheese
- Smoothies eaten with a spoon
As tenderness improves, you can gradually add foods with a little more texture, such as:
- Soft pasta
- Rice
- Soft-cooked vegetables
- Soft bread
- Tender fish
- Finely cut or shredded meats
- Bananas and other soft fruits
Cutting food into small pieces can also reduce the amount of biting and chewing needed. Let comfort guide you, and continue to avoid putting unnecessary pressure directly around the TAD.
Foods to Avoid With TADs
Some foods can put too much force on a TAD or become difficult to clean from around it. We recommend avoiding hard and sticky foods while the device is in place.
Foods to be careful with include:
- Nuts and popcorn
- Hard candies
- Ice
- Crunchy chips
- Hard pretzels
- Caramel and other sticky candies
- Tough or very chewy foods
- Foods that require forceful biting
If you also have braces, follow the food restrictions your orthodontist has given you. Hard, crunchy, and sticky foods can damage orthodontic appliances as well as put unwanted pressure around a TAD.
When Can You Return to Your Normal Diet?
You can usually begin adding more foods as the initial tenderness improves and chewing becomes comfortable. There is not one exact day when everyone should return to a regular diet.
Some restrictions may continue for as long as the TAD remains in place. In particular, you may need to avoid foods that are very hard or sticky because they can place excess force on the device.
Follow the instructions we and your orthodontist provide for your specific treatment. If a food causes discomfort around the TAD, stop eating it and choose something softer.
Keeping Your TAD Clean After Eating
Food can collect around the head of a TAD, so cleaning the area after meals is important. Once we have instructed you to do so, gently brush around the TAD with a soft-bristled toothbrush and use any salt-water or antiseptic rinse we recommend.
Avoid picking at food around the screw with your fingernail, toothpick, or another sharp object. If you cannot clean something away gently, contact us or your orthodontist for guidance.
FAQs
Can you drink through a straw after TAD placement?
Follow the specific postoperative instructions we give you after placement. Because TAD placement is typically a small procedure without an incision or stitches, restrictions can differ from those given after procedures such as a tooth extraction.
Can you eat pizza with TADs?
You may be able to eat softer pizza once the initial tenderness has improved, but use caution with hard or chewy crust. Cut the pizza into smaller pieces rather than biting forcefully near the TAD.
Can you chew gum with TADs?
It is generally best to avoid gum if it can stick around the TAD or other orthodontic appliances. Sticky and chewy foods can be difficult to clean away and may place unwanted force on orthodontic hardware.
What should I do if food gets stuck around my TAD?
Gently clean around the device with a soft-bristled toothbrush as instructed. Do not dig around the screw with a sharp object. If food remains trapped or the area becomes irritated, contact us or your orthodontist for guidance.
TAD Placement and Follow-Up at Legacy Surgery
At Legacy Surgery, Dr. Jeffery Kesecker works closely with local orthodontists to coordinate TAD placement with each patient’s orthodontic plan. We provide TAD placement at our Harrisonburg and Staunton offices for patients throughout the Shenandoah Valley.
To book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Harrisonburg, call (540) 437-1230, or visit us at 2071 Pro Pointe Ln, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
To book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Staunton, call (540) 213-8750 or visit us at 110 Mactanly Pl C, Staunton, VA 24401.