Metal braces really are a rite of passage, huh? Not gonna lie, I still have flashbacks to the day I tried biting into a Granny Smith and ended up chasing apple chunks across the kitchen. But here’s the thing—while metal braces save you some cash, I’ve seen a lot of folks do surprisingly well with clear aligners these days, especially if you’re worried about food battles.
Honestly, sandwiches and apples are tough for everyone in the beginning. Usually, I suggest cutting stuff up (which feels like cheating, but hey, teeth first). Some people swear by wax for those pokey wires too. The only thing I’d nudge back on is the “worth it” part—yeah, metal braces work, but sometimes the extra comfort or less obvious look from other options can be worth the splurge. It’s kind of like buying generic cereal versus name brand... both get the job done, but one might make breakfast a little more enjoyable.
Anyway, props for sticking with it through the awkward eating phase. That first bite of a sandwich without worrying about bread getting stuck? Pure bliss.
Totally get this. My kid just finished a year with metal braces, and the “cut everything into tiny bites” phase was real. We did wax on wires, soft foods, and lots of smoothies. Honestly, the money savings were nice, but if I had to do it again, I’d at least consider aligners—less drama at lunchtime and fewer “Mom, my wire’s stabbing me” moments. Still, seeing those straight teeth in the end was worth a few apple mishaps.
Honestly, the money savings were nice, but if I had to do it again, I’d at least consider aligners—less drama at lunchtime and fewer “Mom, my wire’s stabbing me” moments.
I totally relate to this. I went with metal because the price difference was just too big to ignore, but those pokey wires made me question my decision a few times. Still, seeing the results in the mirror every morning now, I can’t say I regret it. The hassle fades, but the straight teeth stick around.
I hear you on the wires—those things can be a real pain, especially early on. But, just to play devil’s advocate, aligners aren’t always as drama-free as they sound. I’ve seen folks get frustrated with having to take them out every time they eat or drink anything but water, and if you’re not super disciplined about wearing them, results can drag out. Metal braces might be a hassle, but they’re kind of “set it and forget it” in a way. Both have their own quirks, honestly.
Funny thing—when I first got my braces (late bloomer here, did it in my 50s), I thought the wires would drive me up the wall. The poking, the wax, the awkward smile in photos... you name it. But after a while, it honestly just faded into the background. I remember being so focused on what I couldn’t eat at first (goodbye popcorn and caramel), but then it became second nature to just avoid certain foods. Kind of like muscle memory, but for your teeth.
Now, about aligners—my granddaughter went that route, and let me tell you, she was always misplacing those little trays. She’d take them out for snacks and then forget to put them back in. Her treatment dragged on way longer than expected. There’s something to be said for having the metal stuck in there—you can’t take it out, so you don’t have a choice but to let it do its thing. Less temptation to cheat.
One thing I did to make metal braces more tolerable: I carried a tiny dental kit everywhere. Wax, travel toothbrush, those little Christmas tree brushes (you know the ones), and some pain relievers for adjustment days. It sounds like a hassle, but after a few weeks it’s just part of your routine—like carrying reading glasses or hand sanitizer.
I won’t sugarcoat it—there were days when I missed biting straight into an apple or eating corn on the cob. But looking back, it was worth every awkward meal and lisped word. My bite feels stronger now and my jaw pain is gone. Plus, my dentist says I’ll keep more teeth as I age, which is a nice bonus.
If you’re weighing your options, just remember every method has its own quirks and headaches. For me, having something “set and forget” was way easier to stick with than relying on willpower. And hey, you might even get used to the metal smile—my friends started calling me ‘Bionic Betty’ for a while... not sure if that’s a compliment or not!
