I get what you mean about the soreness—honestly, it’s not fun. But I’ve actually found that being super strict about only eating at meal times isn’t always realistic, especially if you’re on a tight schedule or just need that afternoon snack to get through work. I tried the “no snacking” rule for a while, but it made me feel like I was constantly watching the clock and stressing about when I could eat next.
What’s worked a bit better for me is just planning out when I’ll have my aligners out and making sure I brush and pop them back in right after. It’s a little more effort, yeah, but I don’t end up feeling deprived—and honestly, with how much these things cost, I want to make sure I’m actually following the plan without totally changing my lifestyle. The soreness does suck if they’re out too long, but for me, the flexibility is worth it (as long as I don’t push it too far). And yeah, popcorn... that’s just off-limits for now.
I hear you on the snacking. When I first started with aligners, I tried to stick to just three meals a day, but honestly, it made me cranky and tired by mid-afternoon. These days, I just plan ahead—if I know I’ll want a snack, I make sure I have my travel toothbrush handy. It’s a bit more hassle, but it keeps me sane. The soreness can be rough if they’re out too long, though. I learned that the hard way after a long lunch with friends... popping them back in was no joke. Popcorn’s off my list too—miss it, but not enough to risk it.