Metal Mouth Message Board

I am due to get braces at the end of August, and was wondering what do you wish you had done more of before getting your braces.

I'm going to be savoring all the food that I can have now for the next few weeks, but is there anything unexpected that you wish you had done more of before getting yours on?

Good post! I am waiting for replies with interest...

For me nothing really stands out as i had my fill of chewy, stretchy, "forbidden" candy before i got braces, but thats the #1 thing i would try to do before you get braces put on, even now i want to eat filled Twizzlers (like Twizzlers and Starbursts combined), and sour punch straws and raspberry licorice so badly.

Its like a year with none of those candies is like an eternity and you will probably miss things like that more than you expect knowing that you aren't supposed to have them.

I don't know how unexpected this is but I would tell anyone getting braces to get a cleaning and dental exam prior and to get any dental work needed done. It is much more of a hassle to have dental work done once the brackets are on.

The thing I missed the most when I had braces was corn-on-the-cob! I had my braces put on in March so I didn't think to do this (and it would have been very hard to find at that time of year!) Eat lots of it now when it is in season!!!!

Eating sandwiches in public. Bread is a nightmare with braces.

I don't regret not eating anything specific from pre-braces, but I can tell you what I'm going to enjoy when they come off: biting into an apple, eating corn on the cob, chewing gum, and the biggest one for me: popcorn! I've had popcorn but you have to be so careful that I'm always afraid to eat more than a few bits.

Honestly, you can eat most/all of the stuff on the forbidden list as long as you are careful and deliberate in your chewing. If I was you, I would just enjoy eating some of the "forbidden" foods without having to think about it. Take a big bite of a sandwich or burger and enjoy not having bread stuck all over your teeth. You'll still be able to eat one later, but it might be a PITA!

testimony777 wrote:I don't know how unexpected this is but I would tell anyone getting braces to get a cleaning and dental exam prior and to get any dental work needed done. It is much more of a hassle to have dental work done once the brackets are on.

I agree, and not just for practical reasons. I will also be the last time for a while that you can run your tongue over your smooth, freshly cleaned and polished teeth. I really missed that!

Doritos- all the cheesy Doritos! The orange stuff sticks to everything- all nooks and crannies- and it doesn't come off until you brush. No amount of swishing works

Totally agree with getting dental work done first. My dentist is doing little fixes now while the braces are on but will have to re-do that work after they're off. I hate going to the dentist and now there are even more visits in my future. Also, popcorn popcorn popcorn. I have seen one movie in the theater since getting my braces because what is the point without popcorn?