How Has Getting Braces as an Adult Worked Out for You?

Have you noticed any foods that make the stains worse? I feel like tomato sauce is almost as bad as coffee for me.

Yeah, tomato sauce is brutal. For me, anything with curry or soy sauce seems to leave a mark too, especially now with all these brackets making it harder to brush every little bit off. Red wine’s another one - if I have a glass, it feels like my teeth pick up color instantly. Ever tried using those little interdental brushes after meals? Not perfect, but they help a bit with the staining between brackets.

Ever tried using those little interdental brushes after meals? Not perfect, but they help a bit with the staining between brackets.

I’ve actually found floss threaders more effective than interdental brushes for getting under the archwire - especially with sticky foods like curry. The brushes are great for larger gaps, but they don’t always get the fine particles that really cause discoloration. I do think technique matters a lot, though. Sometimes it’s less about the food and more about how quickly you can clean after eating... I’ve had less trouble with red wine than expected, maybe because I rinse right away?

I totally get what you mean about floss threaders - those things are a lifesaver after anything saucy. I still struggle with popcorn, though... no matter how quick I am, it finds a way to hide. Has anyone found a trick for that?

Popcorn is the worst with braces, honestly. My kid loves it, but we had to cut back because those little husks just wedge in there no matter what. We use one of those soft dental picks after flossing - it sometimes gets the last stubborn bit out. Water flossers help too, but not perfect. Kind of feels like a losing battle some days...

Popcorn was my nemesis too when I had braces as an adult. I get what you mean - those husks just find their way into every bracket and wire, no matter how careful you are. I tried a bunch of things to get them out. Here’s what worked best for me, step by step:

First, I’d rinse with warm water right after eating, which sometimes loosened the bits stuck in there. Then, I’d go in with a regular floss threader, but honestly, that only helped for the big stuff. Like you mentioned, those soft dental picks are a lifesaver for the stubborn pieces. After that, I’d use a water flosser on the “high” setting, aiming at an angle around the brackets. It wasn’t perfect, but it got most of it.

One thing my ortho suggested was switching to hull-less popcorn (it’s not totally hull-free, but it’s gentler). It’s not quite the same, but it made a difference. I still had to work at it, but it felt less like a losing battle.

Honestly, some days I just had to accept I’d be picking at my teeth for half an hour... Braces are a patience game.

I actually had to give up popcorn altogether while I had braces - hull-less just wasn’t worth the hassle for me. Even with all the gadgets, I’d still end up frustrated. Honestly, I found skipping it less annoying than the constant picking.

Popcorn is tricky with braces, no doubt. Even the so-called hull-less kind isn’t really hull-less, and those tiny bits wedge themselves in the worst spots. I tried using interdental brushes and a Waterpik, but honestly, it still felt like a losing battle every time. Giving it up was frustrating but probably saved me a ton of hassle in the long run. You’re definitely not alone - sometimes convenience just wins out over craving.

- 100% agree on the popcorn. Tried the “hull-less” kind too - no luck, still got stuck everywhere.
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Giving it up was frustrating but probably saved me a ton of hassle in the long run.

Popcorn is such a classic movie snack, it really does feel like a loss to give it up. But honestly, has anyone else found that certain types of popcorn are easier to manage? I know the hull-less ones didn’t work for you (and same here - still got stuff stuck everywhere), but I’ve had slightly better luck with air-popped popcorn that’s not super crunchy. Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes if it’s less hard, it doesn’t wedge in quite as deep. Still risky though.

I get what you’re saying about Waterpiks not being magic. I bought one thinking it’d be a total game changer. It helps, but yeah - sometimes I still find a rogue piece hiding out hours later. Kind of makes me wonder if there’s a trick I’m missing or if it’s just part of the braces life.

Cheese sticks and pretzels have become my default snacks too, but honestly, I kind of miss crunchy things in general. Pretzels are okay, but they’re not exactly exciting. Does anyone snack on roasted chickpeas or something else crunchy but less likely to get stuck? Or am I just doomed to soft foods for the next year?

Giving up certain foods was way harder than I expected when I started this whole braces thing as an adult. At first, I thought it’d just be a minor inconvenience... turns out, it’s pretty much a lifestyle change. Still, seeing some movement in my teeth already makes it feel worth it - even if movie nights are a little less fun right now.

Curious if anyone tried those silicone covers for brackets? Do they help with food getting stuck or is that just wishful thinking?