Before leaving your house, you always check to make sure you have your phone, wallet, and keys, right? Once you start orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to add a few other essentials to that list. After all, staying on-track with your timeline requires a commitment to the absolute best dental care practices, including brushing your teeth after each meal. With this in mind, keep reading to learn a few must-have tools if you have braces!
#1. A Dental Care To-Go Kit
To keep your braces free of debris and your teeth free of decay, it’s a good idea to begin brushing your teeth after each meal, not just in the morning and evening. Naturally, hauling a big bag of dental care tools around may initially seem like a hassle. Don’t worry – it won’t be. All you need to do is pack a little dental care to-go kit with a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste. That way, you can conveniently clean your teeth whether you’re at a luncheon or the office.
#2. An Interproximal Brush
Another small but mighty device that is an absolute staple is an interproximal brush. Essentially, this allows you to remove plaque and food particles from around your brackets and between each wire seamlessly. It’s such a handy tool that many patients continue to include it in their oral hygiene regimen even after their braces are off!
#3. Pre-Threaded Floss or a Water Flosser
Initially, flossing with traditional braces can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, that’s where pre-threaded floss comes in! This type of floss has an aglet tip (like a shoelace) that allows you to easily string the strand between each wire. You can also invest in a water flosser, which uses a stream of pressurized water to blast away plaque and other debris.
#4. Dental Wax
Even though braces have come a long way over the years in terms of appearance and comfort, it’s normal for the brackets and wires to irritate the soft tissue in your mouth, especially at the beginning of your treatment. The good news is that dental wax can cover any protruding edges, protecting your gums, lips, and the inside of your cheeks. Since the material is both durable and non-toxic, you can keep it in place throughout the entire day. Just be sure to remove it before brushing and flossing your teeth for a thorough clean.
#5. Your Orthodontist’s Contact Information
While this isn’t a “tool,” it is a staple in any braces survival kit. After all, if something unexpected happens, like one of your brackets becomes loose, the last thing you want to do is be frantically searching for your orthodontist’s phone number or address online. Save yourself the hassle by writing down their contact information (including their hours of operation!) ahead of time.
It can take some time to adjust to braces, but it’s important to remember that they are an investment in both your oral health and your confidence. The good news is that with the right tools within arm’s reach, you can have the seamless, comfortable experience you deserve!
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics we don’t just help you achieve your smile goals; we help you enjoy the journey all the way! To do this, we freely share all of the tips and tricks we’ve learned throughout the years, from how to make flossing easy to what to make in your braces survival kit. We’re here to assist our patients every step of the way and long after the metal brackets and wires have been removed. If you have a question about life with braces or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (508) 281-5188.