Confess your orthodontic sins.

[djspeece]

Best laugh I've had all day in the 4 weeks since I've had braces, I have: only flossed 4-5 times... Teeth so crowded it's too hard to do it (& too tender in beginning) I ate popcorn on weekend, I often don't get to brush after lunch, I smoked, drank coffee & diet soda pretty much everyday since getting braced, however I'm now officially a non smoker, having not had a ciggie for 2 weeks! Oh, and for first 2 weeks, I discovered you could suck chocolate (or at least put it in your mouth & let it dissolve- yum!)

Congrats on stopping the cigarettes!

[Hash]

Just found this so have enjoyed a good laugh...... Ye are all very courageous but I am only 2months in so that must come with time!
But I do drink wayyyy to much tea and coffee every day, have not flossed with braces at all but having said that I never flossed before either
I am always checking out other peoples teeth now, hoping it not to obvious
And having out in a bad week with wires poking out over bracket ends I would love a wire cutter to snip them ! But haven't been that brave yet and I am od'ing on the chocolate melting in mouth, really need to cut they back

[Hash]

I think it's about time I tried chewing gum!

[cs2thecox]

My name is Caroline and I'm a Diet Coke addict.

Also tea.
And gum, but I do stick to sugar free Freedent.

I eat popcorn. Especially Joe & Seph's salted caramel. Yes, it's covered in caramel.

I don't floss. I only WaterPik. And my hygienist keeps congratulating me on the condition of my teeth and gums.
I keep a toothbrush at work. I don't use it.

I literally just popped off a bracket on some carrot that was hiding in my sushi, so maybe that's my comeuppance.
In my defence, I've been thinking it was a bit wobbly for a couple of weeks now. Apparently I was right!

[arcimboldo]

What a wonderfull post. I'm getting my braces in three weeks and now I now that it won't change my life totally.

[Featheryy1221]

When I cave in and have a snack in the afternoon I don't bother brushing my teeth, I just swish with water. I'm going to brush in few hours anyway, I don't think it'll kill me.
Apparently according to a "no-no" food list I saw online, we're not supposed to eat chocolate chip cookies. Never knew that, nor am I going to follow that.
I drink tea every other day. Oh and I've ate chewy brownies, and a few crunchy foods.
I really want to have s'mores this summer, but I don't think I'll test that one...

[jBraces]

This makes me so happy. I do many of the things you all mentioned... braces haven't changed my diet at all (unless it's after a tightening.) I still eat anything (chewy, popcorn, candy, etc.) and drink coffee, pop, wine... I feel better that I'm not the only one :)

[WiredOldLady]

Refuse to quit smoking.
Coffee with plenty of creamer and sugar at least 4 times a day.
Milky Way candy bars, Chex Mix, Bagels
Don't brush 3 times a day (twice maybe, once definitely)
Floss occasionally.

That's all I can think of for now...but I'm sore there's plenty more!

[cs2thecox]

Not really an orthodontic sin, but probably a domestic one...

I have used my WaterPik to clean the sink.

(You know when you get that rim of soap scum and scale round the plug hole? The WaterPik blasts that RIGHT off! Also the scale round the taps...)

[djspeece]

Not really an orthodontic sin, but probably a domestic one...

I have used my WaterPik to clean the sink.

(You know when you get that rim of soap scum and scale round the plug hole? The WaterPik blasts that RIGHT off! Also the scale round the taps...)

That is an excellent tip (pun intended). I'm nearly as compusive with house cleaning as I am with my oral hygeine. Thanks!

[sukibeth]

You guys are awesome, now I don't feel so bad about being the most laziest dental patient ever :D

Anyway!

Also don't floss like I should. I've never figured out how to floss around braces, so I've had a waterpik since day 1.
After a year of avoiding it, I had my first bag of popcorn at a movie last weekend. It was glorious.
Still drink soda/fruit juice (except right after cleanings, because THEN I feel guilty).
I will not give up tacos or tortilla chips. As long as it doesn't hurt, I'll eat them. Just a little more carefully.

And finally...

Starbursts and gummy bears. Yep.

[TheKT]

I was just reading some of the recent posts and noticed Dr. Jason K. Tam had replied to them and then I saw that this thread was recently updated. Thought to myself, Dr. Tam must just roll eyes and shake his head when he views this "confess your orthodontic sins"-
although Iam sure he's seen it all!

[braced159]

I don't get how you guys eat all those things and not break off brackets!

[oldfart]

I should follow this up with one...

"What was the last lie you told your ortho?"

[Alisonpv]

This thread is hilarious!


I eat whatever I want to.. I only avoid foods the day or 2 after adjustments when I'm sore.
I drink tea daily.
I don't floss every day, I use interdental brushes instead
My hygienist and orthodontist praise my oral hygiene all the time.
I forget my elastics... a lot....

annnnd! I once used pliers to scootch my wire a little bit... the midline was off, and the end was poking my cheek. I think my husband almost passed out when he walked in on me lol

despite all of this I've never had anything break.