dental case question

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#1 Post by **dymond25** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:41 pm

I hope this is not a silly question. When you got braced did your Ortho provide you with a dental kit or did he/she tell you what you would need to buy? I am trying to figure out if I need to purchase a dental kit and if so what will I need. I do not want buy items unless it is a must. Thanks in advance

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#2 Post by **Betty Bat** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:47 pm

Yep, I got a goodie bag from my ortho. And, I've gotten a few things from my regular dentist when I go in for cleanings. If you do a search on "goodie bag", you'll find out what some people have received. It varies widely - someone (and I'm sorry that I don't remember who) actually got a Sonicare toothbrush in their goodie bag! I got a Crest Spinbrush, a Floss Popper (worthless!), some flosses, a proxy brush, lots of wax, and a few other things all packaged in a big water bottle.

#3 Post by **lisaemtp** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:09 pm

I got a goody bag with a travel toothbrush, floss with threaders. two kinds of wax, and an interdental brush. They keep plenty of wax in the office so I can take more at my appointments if I need it. No electric toothbrushes here, thats amazing that some give those out!

Lisa

#4 Post by **Higgy** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:52 pm

I was given a goodie bag when I left as well....but I got a dentakit and it's been a great asset as well.

#5 Post by **LadyTr0uble** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:26 pm

I didn't get a goodie bag, just some wax, and an interdental brush

You will need:
-wax
-floss threader, I am assumming that you have floss already
-an extra toothbrush to carry around with you (& toothpaste)
-heavy duty lip balm (i switched to trusty vaseline, nothing else took care of the the cracked corners of my lips!)

those are the must haves that I tote around with me all day long.. among other dental paraphernalia... as if my big "diaper" bag isnt heavy enough already

#6 Post by **dymond25** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:34 pm

Thanks Lady Trouble (cool name

) Your post is more what I was looking for. I guess I should have ask what are the "must" items that I may need. I have been wanting to buy some dental supplies, but was not sure where to start.

#7 Post by **LadyTr0uble** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:59 pm

anytime, dymond

i had the same feeling. now that i am in braces, i HAVE to stop by the dental isle everytime i am at the drugstore or the supermarket! and i would see all these "gadgets" and wonder if it is a scam or it really works. i had found some really good posts here, and thought to pass them along to someone else, since it did give me a point of reference and helped. you might want to check out the do-dads forum and see what else might strike your fancy.
everyone is different, so people need different things. my experience hasnt been horrific, just uncomfortable. but hopping on a plane armed with only a toothbrush and toothpaste for 11 hrs taught me really quick what was a necessity and what was not, at least for me... the floss wasn't... hurt like dickens, but i needed it

oh!! and water... always have abottle of water with you. 1-to drink b/c the braces seem to be more irritating when your mouth is dry, 2-might want to mix it with some salt for a mouth rinse (to help heal the sore spots in your mouth and as a make-shift mouthwash, as salt has germ killing properties). salt can be found in most fast food places, so it's easy to find and don't need to be carried around

one last thing: (and you may not agree) straws that you drink with. they are good for sensitive teeth days (too hot or too cold is just not comfortable), and it keeps the contact between beverages(or, my all time favorite, meals-in-a-can) and your teeth to a bare minimum... less brushing=less irritated gums. i had tore my gums apart the first week from brushing after everything (drinking juice, my 5 meals a day routine... ) and it keeps coffee stains at bay.. or at least I hope!
PS-the sn came about b/c I seemed to attract all sorts of trouble when i was in college for just being somewhere and it kinda stuck

PPS-no stupid questions; if we all knew the answers we wouldnt be here in the first place. besides, if you didn't know, you can't be blamed

#8 Post by **LadyTr0uble** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:00 pm

anytime, dymond

i had the same feeling. now that i am in braces, i HAVE to stop by the dental isle everytime i am at the drugstore or the supermarket! and i would see all these "gadgets" and wonder if it is a scam or it really works. i had found some really good posts here, and thought to pass them along to someone else, since it did give me a point of reference and helped. you might want to check out the do-dads forum and see what else might strike your fancy.
everyone is different, so people need different things. my experience hasnt been horrific, just uncomfortable. but hopping on a plane armed with only a toothbrush and toothpaste for 11 hrs taught me really quick what was a necessity and what was not, at least for me... the floss wasn't... hurt like dickens, but i needed it

oh!! and water... always have abottle of water with you. 1-to drink b/c the braces seem to be more irritating when your mouth is dry, 2-might want to mix it with some salt for a mouth rinse (to help heal the sore spots in your mouth and as a make-shift mouthwash, as salt has germ killing properties). salt can be found in most fast food places, so it's easy to find and don't need to be carried around

one last thing: (and you may not agree) straws that you drink with. they are good for sensitive teeth days (too hot or too cold is just not comfortable), and it keeps the contact between beverages(or, my all time favorite, meals-in-a-can) and your teeth to a bare minimum... less brushing=less irritated gums. i had tore my gums apart the first week from brushing after everything (drinking juice, my 5 meals a day routine... ) and it keeps coffee stains at bay.. or at least I hope!
PS-the sn came about b/c I seemed to attract all sorts of trouble when i was in college for just being somewhere and it kinda stuck

PPS-no stupid questions; if we all knew the answers we wouldnt be here in the first place. besides, if you didn't know, you can't be blamed

#9 Post by **dymond25** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:10 pm

Thank you so much Lady Trouble; I found your post very helpful and amusing

. I will check out the do-dads forum too. I need all the advice I can get. I am happy that I was able to find this forum before getting my braces, otherwise I am sure I would have went out there and bought a lot of items that I don't need.

#10 Post by **LadyTr0uble** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:19 pm

buying things you don't need is much better than being up sh!t's creek without a paddle, the way i was on the plane... no wax in my carryon on my 4th day of being brace (BAD idea)

good luck! I know you will be fine, as you are smart enough to do the research before the braces, unlike me, who found this wonderful place filled with wonderful people after the fact, and decided to learn more about what I got myself into

#11 Post by **dymond25** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:11 am

Thanks Ladytrouble. I can imagine you were in pain without that wax. Hopefully you did not also have to endure your ear popping too on that flight.

#12 Post by **KJM** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:43 am

dymond25: I dont use a floss threader, I use Superfloss by Oral B. It has a stiff end to work under your wires. I personally prefer it.

In my purse I always carry wax ( even after all this time, I still have to use it once in a while) extra elastics, if you are using them, chapstick, floss, travel toothbrush and toothpaste.
Those interdental brushed ( shaped like a christmas tree) are handy to have as well.

Good Luck!

#13 Post by **dymond25** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 8:17 am

Thanks Kim,

I am going to call my Ortho to see if he is going to provide me with a goodie bag. That way I will know what I will need.

#14 Post by **dymond25** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:17 am

Thanks KK,

I called my Ortho's office yesterday and was told not to buy anything. His assistant said they will be providing me with everything that I will need. So, I am not going to buy anything as of yet. I hope he also provide me with a palate cleaner gadget or I will buy one from this site. Thanks everyone for the great advice.

rachael

#15 Post by **Emerald** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:17 am

When I got my braces the only freebie I got was some wax

I was advised of a floride mouthwash and the size interdental brushes to buy (0.7mm tepe brushes)

I was carry my tepe brush with me as it works a treat at getting stuck food out of my braces.

They also came in handy when I had my bottom wisdom teeth removed to help clear the holes I had in my mouth.

The wax is also great for when you have braces rubbing too much in your mouth.