For me, they just never stayed put. I’d be mid-sentence and suddenly realize one had gone AWOL.
I had the exact opposite problem—those silicone covers stuck to my brackets like glue, almost too well. I actually found the wax would fall off more easily, especially once I started eating or even just drinking something warm. Honestly, neither one feels perfect for me and I keep worrying I’ll swallow a piece by accident. The price thing is real though...I feel like I’m spending way more on these little things than I expected.
Honestly, neither one feels perfect for me and I keep worrying I’ll swallow a piece by accident. The price thing is real though...I feel like I’m spending way more on these little things than I expected.
Totally get you on the cost—no one warns you about the “braces accessories” budget. I remember thinking, “How much can wax really cost?” Turns out, a lot over a year. And yeah, I’ve definitely swallowed a piece of wax before (pretty sure it’s harmless, but still weird).
Funny thing is, I found the silicone covers almost too sticky, but the regular wax just sort of…evaporated if I drank tea. There’s no perfect fix, but I started cutting the silicone into smaller bits so it wasn’t so hard to get off my brackets. That helped a little with the swallowing thing too.
Honestly, braces make you feel like you’re living with a bunch of tiny gadgets in your mouth. Cyborg is right. At least it’s temporary, right?
Yeah, the accessory costs sneak up on you. I remember thinking I’d just need a pack or two of wax, but it adds up fast. Swallowing a bit of wax is weird but harmless—happened to me more than once. It really does feel like a mouthful of gadgets sometimes, but you get used to it after a while. Hang in there—it’s all temporary and worth it in the end.
Wait, swallowing wax is actually fine? I’ve been stressing about my kid accidentally doing that. How do you know it’s harmless—did your orthodontist say so, or just personal experience? The cost thing is wild too...I swear every checkup means buying another “must-have” something.
Wait, swallowing wax is actually fine? I’ve been stressing about my kid accidentally doing that. How do you know it’s harmless—did your orthodontist say so, or just personal experience? The cost thing is wild too...I swear every checkup means buying another “must-have” something.
Yeah, the wax thing freaked me out at first too. My son’s been in braces for about a year now, and I remember grilling the ortho about what happens if he swallows some. She said the wax is non-toxic and just passes through—so it’s not a big deal if it happens once in a while. I still try to remind him to take it off before eating, but honestly, kids are kids...sometimes they forget. No drama so far.
About the cost—ugh, you’re not imagining it. Every appointment seems to come with a new “essential” add-on. Extra packs of wax, special brushes, mouth rinses, elastics...it adds up fast. I started buying some of the basics online or at the drugstore instead of through the office, which helped a bit. Not everything has to be name-brand ortho stuff.
One thing I wish someone had told me: keep a little kit in your kid’s backpack with wax, a travel toothbrush, and flossers. Saved us more than once when a wire popped loose at school. Also, don’t stress if your kid swallows a tiny bit of wax here and there—it’s way less of a deal than it seems at first.
If it helps, my son was super nervous on braces day too—said he felt like he had “robot teeth.” But after a couple weeks, he barely noticed them anymore. The first few days are the hardest, then it just becomes part of life for a while. Hang in there.
