Metal Mouth Message Board

OK. So I'm getting my braces within the next 2 weeks. And I'm just wondering what are some good things to have. I'm buying some soft foods. But is there anything that made the first few days easier?

Anyone??

Hiya bracefaceekimmie, I bought a Waterpik before I got my braces on, perhaps just make sure you also have some pain relief on hand, I find after an adjustment when my teeth are really aching I like to take Advil (ibuprofen) and it seems to help quite a bit. Also depending on what you are given in your goodies bag at your bracing appointment it's great to have floss with threaders and ensure that any toothpaste you use does not include a whitening agent.

bracefaceekimmie wrote:OK. So I'm getting my braces within the next 2 weeks. And I'm just wondering what are some good things to have. I'm buying some soft foods. But is there anything that made the first few days easier?

You already have the soft foods covered. Other than that, invest in a Waterpik if you can as flossing will be a pain initially if your teeth are crowded. Also get some interdental brushes, they are great for removing food debris stuck in your braces. As far as floss is concerned, since my teeth are very tight together, I tend to rip all kinds of floss to shreds. So I ended up getting ribbon floss, i think it's also called Butlerweave floss, and it works great. I'd also get some floss threaders and make sure you have some wax and Orajel handy for the sores that you might get on your cheeks from the braces.

Oh yes, most definitely invest in a waterpik! I bought one before getting my braces and I am sooooo happy I did! I think if I had to sit flossing in the beginning it would have taken me hours!

Make sure you have ibuprofen or something similar on hand (especially if you getting spacers, cos they hurt!!) - I take one about a half hour before my appointments aswell

And make sure you have enough wax!! They give you some when you get your braces on and art appointments - but it's never enough! Lol, well atleast not for me! It's a life saver

Good luck!

Waterpik, a good toothbrush and some superfloss

If you're not getting extractions done at the same appointment pop some tylenol before the appointment to dull some of the initial tension when the wire clips on

I myself have never used the wax but I guess it may depend on the type of bracket you get

I would get a waterpik (I like the cordless plus model, but you don't need anything too powerful as it may hurt your already sensitive gums).
I would also get some painkillers in case you need them.
Other than that, I would actually wait until after your appointment. Your orthodontist may give you floss, a toothbrush, toothpaste, proxabrushes, sulca brush, wax, and maybe more, so you wouldn't want to purchase it all unnecessarily. But if they do not, I would definitely get a sulca brush and proxabrushes as well.

Wax lots o wax! Small mirror and mini clear mouthwash and those extra fine brushes. Lipbalm too

This was my list (just got braces on October 2nd):
Waterpik
Wax
Ibuprofen
Lip balm
Straws

I got lots of stuff in the goodie bag as well.

Good luck!

Get soft toothbrushes for the first few weeks, and like others said a water pik. just because flossing hurts a bit. I would also get a few types of braces wax just to see which you prefer incase they irritate you at all.
after a few days you'll begin to just to them so no worries, and congrats on starting the process

Lip balm for the cheek retractors - make sure to put it on the morning of your appointment. Don't forget like I did yesterday and end chapped