I know everyone swears by wax, but honestly, I found it more annoying than helpful most days. Like you said,
For me, half the time it would just slide off before I even finished eating. After a while, I just stopped bothering and learned to deal with the occasional wire poke—if it got really bad, I’d use a pencil eraser to gently push the wire back in until I could get to the ortho.“Wax helped, but it was always a gamble whether it’d last the meal.”
And about figuring out which foods are worth it... I kind of disagree that you have to give up so much. People make it sound like you can only eat soup and mashed potatoes for two years, but with a little creativity (and patience), you can still eat most things. I cut apples into tiny slices and even managed popcorn by being super careful. It’s less about avoiding everything and more about adapting how you eat. The little brushes everywhere is 100% true though—I once found one in my laundry.
Completely agree about the wax—honestly, it’s more trouble than it’s worth half the time. I’d put it on and then suddenly it’s just gone, probably swallowed with lunch. I ended up just getting used to the wires poking me and only reached for wax if it was really bad. The pencil eraser trick is underrated, though. I used a pen cap once in a pinch...not my finest moment, but it worked.
As for food, yeah, people are way too dramatic. There’s definitely a learning curve, but you don’t have to give up everything. I still ate chips and even managed pizza crust if I cut it up small enough. It’s more about being careful and knowing your limits. And those little brushes? I swear they multiply. Found one in my backpack months after I got my braces off. Hang in there—it does get easier once you figure out your own hacks.
Funny you mention the wax—half the time, I’d put it on and then immediately lose track if it was still there or not. I agree, it’s more of a last resort. The pencil eraser trick saved me during a conference once when a wire started digging in. As for food, I was stubborn about popcorn (not my brightest idea). Ended up with a bracket repair, so… lesson learned. Those little interdental brushes really do get everywhere, though. I still find random ones in old bags.
I can relate to the popcorn mishap—mine was caramel corn at a movie night, and I paid for it with a snapped bracket. I’m always second-guessing if the wax is still on too. The interdental brushes are lifesavers, but I swear they multiply in every pocket and drawer... At least we’re all learning as we go, right?
Popcorn is totally off my list now... I’m so paranoid about breaking something that I basically eat like a rabbit. I keep feeling like the wax is going to fall off mid-conversation or while I’m sleeping. Does anyone else worry about accidentally swallowing it? Also, how do you actually keep track of all those brushes? I swear I lose them constantly and then panic when I can’t find one.
