Dentist has recommended Invisalign but I am type 1 diabetic and sometimes need to eat Skittles!

[whatisgoingonandwhy]

Just that really, my diabetes control is fairly tight as I use an insulin pump so may need a coufew skittles to raise blood sugar. Have explained this but he still seems to be pushing it. Am I right in thinking it’s not a good idea?

Skittles would cause more issues with traditional braces as they can get caught in them and potentially cause damage.

Then you definitely need to find an alternative to skittles if you’re having fixed braces!!

Op is still deciding after dentist’s recommendation, they haven’t paid or got them yet

Just get fixed braces and see an orthodontist

Sorry but I am an insulìn dependent diabetic anf there are so many options othrr than skittles....glucose tablets which dissolve, glucose gel, both far more effective for a hypo than sweets.

You can eat Skittles, they will be fine

@Flowers999I have been an insulin dependent diabetic for 50 years and my time in range is 91%. Skittles work for me!

Coca cola does it for me

Skittles will be much more of a problem with traditional braces.

Just take the aligners out when you need Skittles and put them in their case. Put them back in later when you’ve had a chance to rinse or brush your teeth. It doesn’t matter if you have them out for a bit. I often didn’t wear my Invisalign during the day and still got the same results.

In fact, I think they have ones meant to be worn only at night now too. Maybe ask about those if you’re that concerned.

Find some sugar source that doesn't require chewing. I've had Invisalign and it's easy to pop them in and out.

Hmm, depends what the range is set to though. I too have a libre sensor...my point was if you are getting invisilign you can treat a hypo very easily without chewy skittles.

Exactly! Glucose gel for diabetics!

For all of those saying to buy glucose drinks to treat one hypo costs around a pound, a small can of coke is 75p. Doesn’t sound like a lot but when you add it up over the month it mounts up!

He has recommended Invaslign because he makes money from it.

Ask about lingual braces.

I am not office based, out in the community often with people and time bound. Popping the retainers out, eating and then brushing teeth is not always practice.

I was going to recommend fixed braces as well. I looked into Invisalign but thought it would be far less faff to get braces. I’ve been happy with them and people barely notice them. After ache of the first days after adjustments has gone, I forget about them. I even ate skittles tonight! They didn’t get stuck at all.

good luck OP!

How about a different sweet? My friend has love hearts in her bag always

Glucose gels are disgusting, and glucose tabs get a bit samey after a while. Jelly babies are the go-to in this household. Would they be a better option @whatisgoingonandwhy? Less chewing required...

If you are able to swallow the skittles (as you would an ibuprofen), no need to remove invisalign at all. Skittles and ibuprofen seem to be close to the same size, do you think you could swallow your skittles with water, rather than chewing and eating them?

Fun fact: Tic tacs are about 98% sugar but in the USA they can be sold as sugar-free because the total amount of sugar in each one is less than the minimum level.

I would find an alternative to Skittles that you can take that doesn't require chewing and swallow it like a pill. When you're somewhere where you can take the trays out and brush, you can switch back to Skittles.

Either that or get normal braces.

I literally ate a banana yesterday without taking mine out 🤣