The Student Room Group

Braces (FAO people who have had them, or currently have them.)

I have got braces, fixed ones. I have heard that if you drink coke or fizzy drinks it will affect your teeth, well I've got a few questions for people who have had braces or people that currently have them.

1. Did you/do you drink fizzy drinks, or eat chewy and boiled sweets during the treatment of your brace?

2. If yes, did if affect the end result? And were you left with brown marks as the pictures show?

3. My bottom teeth were all joined together, but now one of them is being moved and a small gap has formed, is this normal or should I see my orthodontist? Will it go back into place even though them two teeth were already straight?

4. Does drinking fizzy drinks leave marks on your teeth or is this all a myth? Everyone I know who had them drank fizzy drinks and their teeth did not have brown marks on at the end of the treatment.

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Reply 1
Pr1s0n 13reak
I have got braces, fixed ones. I have heard that if you drink coke or fizzy drinks it will affect your teeth, well I've got a few questions for people who have had braces or people that currently have them.

1. Did you/do you drink fizzy drinks, or eat chewy and boiled sweets during the treatment of your brace?

2. If yes, did if affect the end result? And were you left with brown marks as the pictures show?

3. My bottom teeth were all joined together, but now one of them is being moved and a small gap has formed, is this normal or should I see my orthodontist? Will it go back into place even though them two teeth were already straight?

4. Does drinking fizzy drinks leave marks on your teeth or is this all a myth? Everyone I know who had them drank fizzy drinks and their teeth did not have brown marks on at the end of the treatment.


1. Yes

2. No, I simply just cleaned my teeth well, and my teeth stayed quite white.

3. This is quite normal, during my treatment I had lots of gaps appear inbetween my teeth, it is to move your teeth back. In the end they all close up and look good.

4. They would only leave marks on your teeth if you never brushed them.
Reply 2
How many times a day did you brush them?

I brush them at least twice, and use mouthwash.
I am having one at the moment (am a newbe), i avoid gums (simply i dont like them), avoid fizzy drinks (i don't really like them either), and i dont eat sticky snacks cus they will stuck on the brace. I think the best thing to do is to listen to your orthodontist's advice.
Reply 4
Yeah, same here, I only ever brushed twice a day. I did use an additional brush though - a single tufted brush (http://ipj.quintessenz.de/content/poster223/abb03gr.jpg) to get inbetween the areas where your toothbrush can't. Also, use an electric toothbrush, IMO they are far easier and quicker to use than manuals.
Pr1s0n 13reak
How many times a day did you brush them?

I brush them at least twice, and use mouthwash.

i clean them after breakfast, lunch and dinner. i just rince my mouth with water if i have snacks. I clean my mouth with mouthwash in the morning and at night.
also, i think having a soft brush will help too. although it takes longer to clean your teeth.
Reply 7
Nichrome
Yeah, same here, I only ever brushed twice a day. I did use an additional brush though - a single tufted brush (http://ipj.quintessenz.de/content/poster223/abb03gr.jpg) to get inbetween the areas where your toothbrush can't. Also, use an electric toothbrush, IMO they are far easier and quicker to use than manuals.


I have got one of them, hardly use it though.

So I will start, I've also got small interdental brushes or something and they get the food out of the gaps, which can sometimes be difficult to remove.
Reply 8
Nichrome
1. Yes

2. No, I simply just cleaned my teeth well, and my teeth stayed quite white.

3. This is quite normal, during my treatment I had lots of gaps appear inbetween my teeth, it is to move your teeth back. In the end they all close up and look good.

4. They would only leave marks on your teeth if you never brushed them.


:ditto:

I had all the 'restricted' stuff like chewing gum etc - even with elastics in! It's fine.
Reply 9
Pr1s0n 13reak
How many times a day did you brush them?

I brush them at least twice, and use mouthwash.


Twice, as usual. Didn't use mouthwash. Got braces off, were perfectly white. :biggrin:
yes fizzy drink boiled sweets, chewy stuff. i didnt get any marks on my teeth at all :smile:
Reply 11
Pr1s0n 13reak
I have got one of them, hardly use it though.

So I will start, I've also got small interdental brushes or something and they get the food out of the gaps, which can sometimes be difficult to remove.


Seriously though, when you take them off they polish your teeth and they come out all nice and white. :biggrin: I'm not saying don't brush them, just don't brush them 20 times a day and let them be a burden on you. :smile:
Reply 12
Oh, and join my Prison Break society. Not sure why you haven't already...
Reply 13
1. Hell yes. I only drink Diet Coke.

2. Nope.

3. If you still have your brace on, then there's plenty of time to get them back perfect. Same thing happened to me a few times.

4. As long as you clean your teeth, it's fine.
Reply 14
Thanks a lot everyone, put my mind at ease. :smile:

I worry about stupid things.
Reply 15
Pr1s0n 13reak
Thanks a lot everyone, put my mind at ease. :smile:

I worry about stupid things.


Put your mind at ease, join the PB soc.
Reply 16
The dentist told me that if i eat sugary foods, i would get brown marks. I did eat sugary foods, but i did cut back. I rarely had fizzy drinks, i don't have them too often anyway. I had like a chocolate bar or two a day and i didn't get any brown marks but when i could, i cleaned my teeth afterwards. If you clean your teeth after eating say a chocolate bar it should be ok, it was for me. I wouldn't eat chewing gum because it gets caught in the wires, just avoid that stuff. I think if you have fizzy drinks quite often, say 3-4 times a week it will stain your teeth. It really wouldn't be worth it having them for about 2 years and your life is ruined because of it.
Reply 17
I also have a silly newbie question....it does get easier to eat, right? I got one on my top teeth on Monday, and I can't bite anything becuase they're so tender. Please tell me this is only temporary and I'll be able to eat properly soon!
Reply 18
also. slightly off topic. you shouldn't rinse your mouth after you brush. at all. it washes away the good stuff like fluoride. obvious i know. but most people seem to rinse anyway.
Reply 19
yes its only temporary. i found that they're fine for the first few hours but then they hurt loads. for a few days. then it passes until you get the wires tightened, after which the process repeats again.