Pre-Braces Shopping List

[aep4pDC]

Hi!

I was wondering what types of items I should pick up before getting braces in 3 weeks. I have a waterpik, but am also curious about specific types of toothbrushes or other cleaning devices that have been helpful for keeping the braced grill clean.

Thanks!

[EWUgal15]

Look into picking up a Sonicare toothbrush. My mouth feels cleaner using that over a manual brush. Interdental (or proxabrushes) are super helpful too. Try to find a floss that doesn't shred easily as well...there are varying opinions about the best brand/variety here, but try out a few to find what you like

[djspeece]

I liked my Oral B electric toothbrush, but not essential to have. Stock up on dental wax so you have it at work, in your jackets, vehicles, and so forth; I used interdental brushes rather than flossing (they are also good for cleaning under the wire across gaps) and got a ton of those; many will recommend bringing lip balm for the bracing session to keep your lips supple and to avoid minor cracking (I did not experience this though); travel toothbrushes for when you eat out; ibuprofen for treating any moderate/bothersome discomfort, and of course a good single malt scotch (I prefer Talisker).

[NeilH]

Look into picking up a Sonicare toothbrush. My mouth feels cleaner using that over a manual brush. Interdental (or proxabrushes) are super helpful too. Try to find a floss that doesn't shred easily as well...there are varying opinions about the best brand/variety here, but try out a few to find what you like

Completely agree, my Sonicare has been invaluable as have copious supplies of interdental brushes and extra soft toothbrushes.

[NeilH]

I liked my Oral B electric toothbrush, but not essential to have. Stock up on dental wax so you have it at work, in your jackets, vehicles, and so forth; I used interdental brushes rather than flossing (they are also good for cleaning under the wire across gaps) and got a ton of those; many will recommend bringing lip balm for the bracing session to keep your lips supple and to avoid minor cracking (I did not experience this though); travel toothbrushes for when you eat out; ibuprofen for treating any moderate/bothersome discomfort, and of course a good single malt scotch (I prefer Talisker).

Dan, talking about good single malts can take up a whole new thread. Living in Scotland, I get to try a few once in a while

[Ziggy]

Consider getting a Waterpik, assuming you can afford it. I never had one before I got my braces and you wouldn't believe what comes flyin out of my mouth when I use it, even after brushing. Pick up some GUM Soft Picks, if you don't get any from your ortho. Also, in the pack I got from my ortho was some ACT Mouthwash for braces. It contains aloe and I find it to be very soothing. You might also want to make sure you have some ibuprophen or something similar on hand.

[diamond63]

I recommend multiple travel toothbrushes - one to keep at work, one to keep in your purse or car, etc. At work I have a little black pouch with toothbrush, paste, ortho bands, and some little floss picks (little proxa-brushes or whatever they're called). For travel toothbrushes, they make kinds that fold in half rather than have the tiny handle you insert into the case - I like the foldy kind much better. I like the little black pouch for keeping things together and so I am not walking down the hall at work carrying a dental armory lol. I have the same thing in my purse for when I'm out at a restaurant, etc.

I only brush my teeth at a restaurant if there is major food stickage, but it happens. At work I tend to brush them after lunch most days, depending on what I eat. I found a quiet bathroom on another floor I go to so I'm not hogging the limited sinks in the busier bathrooms (and because I am self conscious about brushing in front of coworkers - though I do sometimes anyway and everyone is really understanding).


The ibuprofen is a good suggestion as well.

Oh and maybe it was just me.... but I had really bad luck with toothbrush bristles coming out and getting caught in my brackets. I literally had to leave work and go to the store to buy needle nosed pliers to get the bristle out! Happened twice, at work, and in my front teeth. I kept the pliers in my purse for a long time after that.

[sirwired]

- Glide Threader Floss (NOT SuperFloss!) Amazon has it if you can't find it locally.
- My at-work tooth kit also included a Pana-sonic (the dash is to get around the twitchy spam filter) battery-operated irrigator; IMHO it's much nicer than the WaterPik brand portables.
- If your teeth are at all sensitive, start using sensitive toothpaste now; they'll become MUCH more sensitive during ortho. I used Colgate Sensitive EnamelProtect.

Also, go ahead and eat lots of the foods you aren't going to be eating for the next couple years... corn on the cob (okay, that might be tough in March), whole apples, popcorn, etc.

[djspeece]

... Oh and maybe it was just me.... but I had really bad luck with toothbrush bristles coming out and getting caught in my brackets. I literally had to leave work and go to the store to buy needle nosed pliers to get the bristle out! Happened twice, at work, and in my front teeth. I kept the pliers in my purse for a long time after that.

I had an issue with this with travel toothbrushes -- but rather than needle-nosed pliers, I prefer to use a hemostat which you actually find in many hardware stores in the US (or even online), or from one of your nurse colleagues (many sets today use "disposable" ones but they work great.) They come in straight or curved versions (curved pictured below).