I tried a bunch of products too but ended up sticking to basics—soft brush, salt water rinse, and patience.
Funny thing, I actually had the opposite experience. I wanted to keep it simple, but ended up needing all the gadgets—silicone covers, special flossers, that weird little Christmas tree brush (no clue what it’s really called). The wax is a lifesaver, but for me, the basics just didn’t cut it when my wires acted like tiny ninja weapons. Maybe my mouth is just dramatic.
I hear you on the gadgets—honestly, I was stubborn about keeping things “old school,” but my mouth just wouldn’t cooperate. I tried to tough it out, but after a few shredded cheeks, I caved and started using the wax and those little tree brushes (they’re called “interdental” brushes, apparently). Sometimes you just need the extra help, especially as we get older. My teeth moved slower and my gums were more sensitive than I expected. No shame in using whatever works.
Yeah, the gadgets can feel like overkill at first, but honestly, they’re lifesavers. I resisted the wax, too, thinking I’d just “get used to it,” but my cheeks had other plans. Those first couple of weeks were rough—felt like I was chewing on razor blades half the time. Wax and those little brushes made a huge difference for me, especially with all the food that gets stuck in weird places you never knew existed.
You’re totally right about things moving slower as an adult. My ortho warned me, but I still expected things to go faster. Not gonna lie, there were days my gums felt so tender I wondered if I’d made a mistake. But after a few months, it got easier. The sensitivity calmed down, and my routine just became second nature. Honestly, taking the help where you can get it is just being smart, not giving in. No shame at all.
Funny thing—I actually started looking forward to those little “extras” because they made everything more bearable. Never thought I’d say that about dental wax, but here we are...
It’s wild how quickly those “extras” go from feeling unnecessary to totally essential. I was stubborn at first, too—figured I could just tough it out. But after a week of shredded cheeks and getting food wedged in places I didn’t know existed, I caved and grabbed the wax and proxy brushes. The discomfort was unreal. I underestimated how much slower tooth movement is for adults, too. Honestly, the psychological side was harder than I expected, but once my routine settled in, it didn’t feel like such a big deal anymore. Still not a fan of floss threaders though… they’re just awkward.
That’s pretty much how it went for me, too. First week, I thought I could just rinse and brush like usual, but nope—ended up with raw gums and food stuck everywhere. Tried the wax, but honestly, it kept falling off for me at first. Eventually figured out how to use it right, but it took a few tries. The floss threaders are still a mystery... I just end up frustrated half the time. Tooth movement feels like it’s in slow motion as an adult, which I definitely wasn’t expecting. It’s weird how much of it is just getting used to the routine and not overthinking every little twinge.
