I'm getting braces soon and I was wondering what kind of stuff I should buy that will help me keep my braces in ship-shape? And what kind of stuff will the dentist give me?
2007-02-17 02:32:02 · 4 answers · asked by Heather <33 4 in Health ➔ Dental
Usually the dentist will give you a little care package to last you a month, but everything can be found in the toothpaste isle at your local grocery store.
The two only really new things you'll get are floss threaders and wax. The floss threaders (usually little blue tear-drop-with-a-long-handle plastic...um...things) are used to loop floss through your braces so you can floss- and trust me, these things are a life saver! Wax can be balled up and squished over your braces so that they don't tear up the inside of your cheeks- great for the first couple of months, but after that most people stop using them.
And take GOOD care of your teeth. I didn't brush and floss as much as I should have when I had braces, and now I'm paying for it in gum disease and cavities. Brush twice a day, at LEAST, or after every meal if you can help it. Floss once a day (I'd say at night, so that ick isn't sitting there while you sleep) even before you brush so that whatever you pull out of there can be brushed away. Your gums might get a little inflamed from the braces, but keep brushing there even if it hurts- a small price to pay to avoid later issues.
Other than that, the braces are usually stainless steel, so you don't really need to do much more. Oh, and don't feel bad if you pop off a bracket! Everyone does it (I've done it like ten times), just get it fixed up as soon as you can.
2007-02-17 02:49:17 · answer #1 · answered by Ai-chan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The DDS will give you everything thing you need and instructions how to keep your braces clean. The most important thing to do is to see your hygienist every six months and have them professionally cleaned. Just because you have braces on people think they don't have to see there dentist for regular check ups, but it is more important when you have all that hardware in your mouth.
2007-02-17 13:08:29 · answer #2 · answered by Lady X 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ai-chan has a great answer. Also, consider getting a water pik and using Listerine to rinse with daily. See your hygienist 2 -3 times per year and FLOSS!!!
Take some ibuprofen a few minutes before your ortho appointments to help cut the mild pain... it's not terrible, but it can hurt a bit.
2007-02-17 13:33:52 · answer #3 · answered by bgirl79 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My orthodontist gave me all the strange little brushes i would need. Also he gave me the silicon gel to cover the edges until your mouth becomes used to them.
I dont know of anything else you will need.
2007-02-17 10:42:50 · answer #4 · answered by coolmoejay 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋