what supplies should I buy before getting braces?

[mommy]

Hi everyone,

what supplies should I buy before getting braces? I know I will get some basic sample stuff from my orthodontist, but what else would you recommend to get? I want to be ready

Thanks.

[lyphta]

I would buy some mouthwash if you don't already have it and I would lay off the whitening kinds. I don't know if it's been proven or not, but if it does whiten your teeth and you have brackets on, when you take it off, you might have discolored teeth because the teeth underneath the bracket won't be whitened.
I'd also try and buy a nice electric toothbrush. I find that it leaves my teeth feeling cleaner than a manual one. Though I still use a manual one when my teeth are sore.
I don't think you really need anything else, I just use what my ortho gave me (a travel toothbrush, floss, floss threaders, dental mirror, wax, spam spam spam, and interdental cleaners)

[BracesKing]

I completely agree with lyphta. I got my kit too and that's enough as per my knowledge.

[katiemcb09]

I got an Oral B Vitality toothbrush (I tended to brush really hard with a regular toothbrush and had gum recession, so this helps control that), and I also got a Waterpik. Other than that, I wouldn't really stress. I bought a TON of little things - every time I went through the dental section of the grocery store, I would snatch up more mini toothpastes, etc. But a lot of that will come in your kit and/or you won't go through it as quick as you think. Get the big stuff and worry about the little things later!

[BracedGeek]

Waterpik
Glide floss
Manual orthodontic toothbrushes
Replacement heads for my sonic toothbrush
Wax
ACT Mouthwash
Non-whitening toothpaste for both dry-mouth and sensitive teeth.
Travel toothbrush
Interdental cleaners

I put together a kit to carry with me with all the stuff I need to brush my teeth elsewhere. It helps to have it all in one place, so if I change bags, I don't have to make sure I put all the stuff I need back in.

[ladyksilver]

Thanks for this list. I get braced on May 3 and was wondering what I needed to purchase-I like to do things ahead of time. I'm definelty going to get the Water Pik and the electric toothbrush.

[benj]

Interdental cleaners are really the biggies that you will want to have everywhere, as there are so many on the market so you'll need to find the ones that work best for you. Some have flossing bows to get in between spaces, some are like disposable plastic toothpicks and others like mini toothbrushes with gels to make cleaning easier. A lot did not work for me the way I wanted them to so is best to try everything available on the market.

My othodontist gave me a kit with an expensive ortho brush that was unusable after a week, a travel brush, toothpicks, two minute brush/egg timer, plaque staining pills, dental mirror, wax and samples to try.

Depending on how much discomfort you are in the first weeks it might be wise to stock up on some liquid meal replacements. I purchased a large drum of non-flavored whey protein isolate powder to have on stand by. Good for spiking soups and beverages with extra protein and minerals if you don't wanna clean up all the time.

[mommy]

Non-whitening toothpaste

I would lay off the whitening kinds

thanks everyone for your helpful comments... I am just surprised that I can't use any whitening products?

[BracedGeek]

After you get braces there is a chance that whitening toothpaste will whiten your teeth, but since you have the brackets on, it would leave those areas a different color.

Before you get braces, it is best to not whiten, because that can make your teeth more sensitive.

[katiemcb09]

Forgot one thing - Right after I got braces, I bought a Vera Bradley cosmetic bag for all my ortho stuff. Totally unnecessary, but it made me hate them a little less since I got a cute bag out of it. Silly I know, but I was pretty depressed for a couple weeks! And definitely soft foods, as someone mentioned. I had tons leftover, but every time I get an adjustment they come back in handy.

[impatientpatient]

Orthodontic wax!! It is the only thing that has kept me sane this first week of braces. Such relief from the scratching inside my cheeks.
Ordered some bubble gum flavoured wax from ebay too!

[lyphta]

Definitely buy a bag to put your supplies in like katiemcb09 said, if your othro doesn't give you one already. It really is handy so you will never lose it and it's easy to just take it to the bathroom and do all your cleaning without having to hold onto so many things.

Yeah anything that has to do with whitening is something I wouldn't suggest cause you don't want discoloration after you're done with your treatment. It's best to wait till you're de-braced to start using the whitening stuff again.

[venom]

i used whitening strips on my teeth just before getting braces.

[bbsadmin]

Our sister website, http://www.DentaKit.com has a lot of supplies you would need before and during braces or retainers.