A newbie list of helpful items...

[klobird]

When I first got braces, I had to read all over the place to put together a list of what everyone else found helpful.
So here is my list--I hope it helps someone new to braces. If anyone has anything to add, please do...:

1. A waterpik!
2. Proxabrushes
3. Stim-U-Dent picks
4. Wax (Mack's earplug wax is softer than what the ortho gives, and sticks well--or any silicone wax)
5. A small carry around pack for eating out, work--public places--full of travel type stuff-toothbrush,toothpaste,picks,wax,
elastics (if you have them), a small cup for water to swish, a small mouthwash, ibuprofen,chapstick,Oragel,threader floss...)
6. An electric toothbrush (Sonicare, Oral-B--I got lucky, the ortho gave me an Oral-B Vitality the day I was braced --I guess the mgr. liked me or something! (Not a must, but I like having one..)
7. Chapstick--lots of it!
8. Crest Glide threader floss--much better because of the built-in threader.
9. Rincinol, Oragel, Ibuprofen...

Anything else?...

[workingmomma]

Thanks Klobird. I appreciate the list. I am really nervous about getting braces. I go on Monday at 830 to get them put on. Is it as bad as they say it is?

[sw33tT]

@workingmomma....I'm getting braces on Monday at 8:30 too! This post does seem helpful. Thank you.

[cbt325xi]

Thanks for the list! Working Momma and SW33tT, best wishes for Monday.

Carrie

[klobird]

Hey workingmomma--When you're at the ortho getting the braces, it's a piece of cake. Take Ibuprofen before or just after you get them on. You will be sore. Keep taking the Ibuprofen as directed. Have plenty of soft foods on hand.It will probably be sore for 3-5 days.

The soreness was not a big deal for me. Adjusting to the braces was. It's just working out a new way to do things--like eating food and cleaning up after. The adjustment period lasts a couple of weeks. After you have gotten thru those couple of weeks, you will probably stop wondering what in the world you have gotten yourself into. And then you start to see the changes--it's so cool!! And then people start making positive comments...That's when you will begin to start thinking that getting braces was the best choice you ever made! (Well, that's my story anyway, and I'm sticking to it!!!)

Good luck!! And believe what almost everyone says on this site---it is all worth every minute of it!!!

My soft food list includes: cottage cheese, oatmeal, applesauce, soup, pudding, jello, mashed potatos, beans, rice, ice cream, popsicles etc...

And in a few months you will be eating just about every bad thing the ortho doesn't want you to eat!!

[workingmomma]

A Klobird- Thanks for the support! I appreciate it. I'm such a weenie when it comes to things like this.

[workingmomma]

@ SW33tv- Good luck on getting your braces on tommorow. How long do you have to wear yours? My OD says that I will have mine on for atleast 2 years...

[sirwired]

I'd add a Pana-sonic portable waterpik (EW-DJ-10A)... it's great for my "at-work" braces kit.

[workingmomma]

@ CBT325Xi- Thanks for the encouragement. I need all of it that I can get to keep from chickening out. Have you gotten your braces yet? If so, How long have you had them?

[workingmomma]

@swtt3t- How did your braces go? How are you doing?