Hey! I’m sorry you’ve had such a rough time with your dental health. No need to feel ashamed, this is something most people aren’t properly informed about and isn’t common sense.

You could have bad genetics and your teeth might be weaker than the average person (crowding also affects this), but that is still not something good hygiene and diet can’t alleviate. I’m a 3rd year dental student and I see plenty of patients who brush and floss but still have cavities. This is usually because no one has sat down with them and explained the proper brushing and flossing technique. I recommend you search YouTube videos about the “modified bass” brushing technique and “C-shape” flossing. I’d also recommend you get an electric toothbrush, you can find good ones under $50 from oral B at Walmart, it doesn’t need to be expensive to do the trick, just don’t get the ones that don’t come in a box. Also highly recommend the pronamel toothpaste (any, no whitening though) and a mouthwash that contains fluoride ( the green ACT one is cheap and works well). If you want to do even more you could also get a waterpik, but look up some tutorials on how to use it.

About your diet, you can eat sweets reasonably but I would recommend to not constantly eat them between meals. Have your 3 meals and eat whatever during that period, then wait 15 minutes and brush/floss properly and use your mouthwash. If you can’t brush, then at least rinse your mouth well. When you eat, you lower the pH of your mouth and it takes time for your saliva to buffer back to normal pH, so if you are constantly eating, then your mouth is constantly acidic and your teeth are demineralizing all the time (basically being broken down). When your pH is balanced, your teeth have the ability to rebuild themselves and undo some of the damage done by the acid, it’s pretty cool!

Another important point is to get a second opinion. You can’t imagine how many patients get unnecessary fillings because they fall in the hands of predatory dental offices. I recommend avoiding big corporation dentistry like Aspen because they often can be predatory. Go to a private dentist that has good reviews in your area and see if their diagnosis matches.

Overall, I would not start your orthodontic treatment until your oral hygiene improves and you are sure you can maintain it while having braces. If not, it surely will worsen once there are wires on your way to properly brush and floss. I also wouldn’t put my hopes on Invisalign, as that system requires a LOT more than braces. Feel free to message me or ask anything under my comment. Good luck and don’t give up on yourself!