We tried switching things up with softer fruits, oatmeal, and even smoothies. Not as fun as candy, but less stress for me worrying about broken brackets or cavities.
I totally get the “less stress” part—orthodontic emergencies are about as fun as a surprise tax bill. But I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a rebel when it comes to letting kids have the occasional treat. It’s not just about the sugar (though yeah, that’s a biggie), it’s also about teaching them how to handle those foods responsibly. I’ve seen kids who swear off sticky stuff, then go wild at a birthday party and end up with a bracket hanging by a thread... or worse.
Honestly, I think it’s all about moderation and good habits. A little candy every now and then—followed by a proper brush and rinse—can actually help kids learn balance instead of feeling like they’re missing out. Plus, I’m convinced that forbidden gummy bears just taste better... not that I’d know from experience or anything.
Anyway, you’re not wrong to be cautious, but sometimes the “no fun” route backfires in unexpected ways. Just my two cents from the trenches.
I hear you on the stress—my first week with braces, I was practically scared to eat anything but mashed potatoes. The idea of breaking a bracket or getting a cavity was honestly way more terrifying than missing out on candy. It’s tough balancing being careful and not feeling left out, but you’re definitely not alone in picking the “less fun” foods for peace of mind. It gets easier, or at least less nerve-wracking, after a while.
Totally get the mashed potato phase—soft foods were my best friends for a while too. It’s wild how much you start analyzing every bite, right? Honestly, being extra careful pays off, even if it means missing out on some treats for now. Brackets can be surprisingly fragile, and sugar just loves to sneak into those tricky spots. Hang in there... I promise, your teeth (and future self) will thank you for it.
That mashed potato phase is so real. I remember after getting my braces, I basically lived on oatmeal and yogurt for weeks. It’s funny, I thought I’d miss crunchy stuff more, but it was actually sweets that were the hardest to say no to—especially when you’re just craving something comforting. But you’re right, those brackets don’t mess around; one wrong move and suddenly you’re back at the orthodontist for a repair.
I do wonder, though—has anyone actually managed to avoid all sugary stuff the whole time they had braces? I tried, but honestly, there were a few slip-ups. Sometimes I’d think, “One piece of chocolate can’t hurt,” but then I’d spend forever brushing and flossing, paranoid about cavities sneaking in behind the wires. Did anyone else get super anxious about that? Or is it just me overthinking?
Also, speaking of soft foods, did anyone find any go-to snacks that felt like treats but weren’t total sugar bombs? I started making smoothies with frozen berries and plain yogurt—kind of felt like dessert without the guilt. But let’s be real, nothing really replaces a good cookie.
I’ve heard some people use those water flossers religiously during ortho treatment. Did those actually help with getting sugar out from around the brackets? I never could tell if mine was making a difference or just spraying water everywhere.
Anyway, props to everyone sticking it out. It’s not easy skipping your favorite foods for months on end. Does anyone else feel like their taste buds changed after all that time? I swear, apples tasted amazing when I finally got my braces off...
I can totally relate to the paranoia about sugar sneaking in where you can’t see it. I definitely wasn’t perfect about avoiding sweets either—sometimes the craving for a brownie just wins. I always felt like I was brushing and flossing forever after, too. Water flossers were hit or miss for me; half the time, it felt like I was just making a mess, but maybe it helped a bit? For snacks, I got really into banana “ice cream”—just frozen bananas blended up. Not quite Ben & Jerry’s, but better than nothing. And yeah, first bite of a crisp apple after braces was unreal.
