Grating apples definitely helps with braces, but I'm not sure it does much extra for cavity prevention. Apples have natural sugars either way, so rinsing with water afterward might be more helpful than how you slice 'em... just my two cents though.
Hmm, good point about the sugars, but wouldn't grating apples at least stop bits from getting stuck between brackets as much? I mean, cavities aside, less picking apple bits outta braces is always a win, right?
Grating apples might help a bit with the bracket issue, true... but keep in mind that grated apples release more juice, and that juice is still sugary and acidic. It could sit around your brackets longer, potentially causing enamel issues. Maybe the best compromise is to grate them and then rinse with water afterward? I remember doing something similar when I had braces—didn't eliminate cleaning entirely, but definitely made things easier.
I totally get your point about the juice issue—honestly, that's something I hadn't even thought about until now. When I first got my braces, I was super anxious about anything sugary or acidic sitting around my brackets too long. My orthodontist always emphasized rinsing with water after eating fruit, especially apples and oranges. It didn't completely ease my anxiety, but it did help me feel a bit more in control.
Your suggestion of grating and then rinsing afterward sounds like a pretty good compromise. It's reassuring to hear someone else had similar concerns and found a manageable workaround. Braces can be stressful enough without worrying constantly about enamel damage... so thanks for sharing your experience. Makes me feel less alone in this!
Did your orthodontist mention anything about using a fluoride rinse after meals? Mine recommended it to help strengthen enamel, especially after acidic foods. Might be worth asking about next time you're there...
