Hi there
I'm Autistic and ADHD and 30 years old with previous eating disorders.
Yesterday I had train track braces fitted and I'm really struggling. I had them when I was a teenager but I was also undiagnosed and masking massively.
Since having them last I've had more and more problems with food, textures in my mouth, even brushing my teeth can be challenging some days. I needed some sort of intervention with my teeth as one tooth was going sideways.
Last year I started off with a retainer but was unable to keep it in my mouth for long enough and can only hack it at nighttime after gagging for 10 minutes! Eating in it was an absolute no go even though I tried.
Fast forward to now and I thought train tracks would be fine but actually, getting the food stuck in them and struggling to chew food because of the two cement blocks they have put on my upper teeth to correct my bite are sending me into meltdown. I'm masking massively because I'm paying for these braces and don't want to waste money but I've had to be so strict with making sure I don't miss meals etc due to my history but already I'm worrying about my next meal and the food being in there. I tried brushing my teeth straight after, rinsing straight after but that only made it worse because little bits were then in my mouth. I've tried mashed potato and more liquid foods as well as cereal and toast.
I'm really not sure what do to to make this easier for myself and I really don't want to overwhelm myself but I am just really struggling.