nightmare with bread!

[sally1988]

I was eating a sandwich today and as usual the bread stuck to my braces and in my extraction gaps, before going to brush it out with my little interdental brush I tried to suck the big bits out of my gaps but then thought what if I were bending my wires? Does anyone else have this problem and know how much force is required to bend the wire or pop the bracket off the tooth? I'm so scared it will happen as I work really far from my orthodontist so it would be a nightmare getting any appointment before my next one in 4 weeks!...

[djspeece]

In all modesty I consider myself a bit of a master of the Sucking Out Debris From Various and Annoying Gaps While Looking Like a Mediocre Ventriloquist and doubt that it is possible to generate enough vacuum to dislodge a bracket. But, I would welcome any other opinions, perhaps someone who is actually informed.

[Featheryy1221]

I don't think it would damage anything. I've gotten food out that way with no problems yet. You can always swish a few times with water if you're super concerned about it. Usually water can dislodge almost anything. I always cut up my sandwiches, since I was told not to bite into anything with my front teeth, and it's way easier because I don't have to worry about food getting stuck and it being super visible. Then you don't have to worry if you're out in public/at work and someone talks to you right after chewing.

[Reflektor]

I'm sure it wouldn't have any real impact! I spent a good 45 minutes sucking bits of bread out my mouth after having a Subway for lunch. I have no regrets.

[Lorianne]

OMG, I eat with abandon and look like a contortionist for an hour after. I also try to discreetly, but it's really not so discreet, swish with my water at restaurants, then swallow. bleeeech! but, ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

[sirwired]

Sometimes people have problems with the first wire popping out of the rear tube while working underneath it.

Other than that, the stress of oral care is pretty insignificant compared to chewing. Stay away from the "forbidden" foods that your ortho warned you about and that's about all you can do. Assuming you don't do something stupid like bite into an apple or a really chewy bagel, most bonding failures aren't the fault of the patient.

Popping a wire out? If you have elastic ligatures, a fair amount of force is required to dislodge them. (But they can take a lot! I had one that was so stretched the wire was nowhere near the slot and it didn't break for the two days until I could get it swapped out for a metal tie.) If you have metal ligatures you simply can't rip the wire out. If you have self-ligating brackets; well, a lot depends on the design, the wire in use, etc.

[sally1988]

Thanks for your help guys sorry for the delay in replying, so basically i should just chill out a bit then!
I guess it all just feels a bit delicate at first but soon it should almost feel like a part of me... hopefully!

[SpottedPickle]

My wire is thermal, so even if I were to bend them because of sucking they will go back to their form and continue to try and go back to it's orginal shape, taking my teeth with it like it is supposed to!

Yesterday was my first sandwich. Nom nom!

[sally1988]

Just a word of warning though - on sunday the last bracket on the bottom right came unstuck and wires came out and straightened out = poking nightmare

not sure if it was uneven tooth that was a bad surface to stick to or because i favour eating on that side but I'm cutting down on the chewy foods again to avoid the dreaded molar band substitutes!