One thing that really helped us during my daughter's braces experience: we made a little "braces kit" she could keep in her backpack. Just one of those cheap pencil pouches with a travel toothbrush, flossers, and some wax for pokey wires. I swear it saved us from so many meltdowns at school when something felt weird or food got stuck. Also, we cut up apples and carrots into tiny pieces instead of banning them completely—felt less like punishment that way.
She was super anxious before her first appointment, so we watched a few YouTube videos together where other kids shared their stories (the silly ones, not the scary ones). It actually calmed her down a lot.
Anybody else have little hacks or surprises that made the whole braces thing easier for your kid? Or maybe something you wish you’d known ahead of time?
That little kit idea is genius, honestly. We did something similar but I just used a ziplock bag with the basics—definitely nothing fancy, but it worked. The wax was a must-have, and I wish we’d stocked up more before the first few wire adjustments. Those things go missing so fast.
One thing I didn’t expect: how expensive all the “extras” can get. The orthodontist gave us a starter pack, but after that, buying replacement wax, extra flossers, and even those little proxy brushes added up quick. Has anyone found cheaper alternatives that actually work? I tried generic wax from the drugstore and it was kind of hit or miss.
Also, I underestimated how much time we’d spend cutting food into tiny pieces. Sometimes my kid just wanted to eat regular chips or popcorn like his friends and it was a whole negotiation. Did anyone else struggle with that? In hindsight, I wish we’d talked more about what foods were totally off-limits vs. just being careful.
The YouTube video tip is smart. We stuck to silly TikToks about braces—maybe not super informative but at least he laughed instead of stressing out...
The cost of all those extras totally caught me off guard too. I remember thinking, “How much can a tiny box of wax really add up to?” Turns out, quite a bit when you’re going through it every week. I actually had better luck with the silicone wax from Amazon than the generic stuff at CVS—lasted longer and didn’t crumble as fast. For flossers and proxy brushes, I started buying in bulk online (Target’s own brand wasn’t bad either). It still added up but at least it felt less ridiculous than paying orthodontist prices.
Cutting food was a whole saga at our house. My kid was obsessed with popcorn and we had so many debates about it. Eventually, we compromised on puffed corn snacks—not quite the same, but close enough to avoid the drama (and broken brackets). Honestly, I wish someone had told me which foods were truly risky versus just “be careful.” Did your orthodontist give you a strict list or more of a general guideline?
Also, curious—did anyone’s kid actually stick to the “no gum” rule? Mine tried… for like a week.
The extras really do sneak up on you, right? I hear about sticker shock from families all the time—wax, brushes, even those little elastics. You’re not alone there. I think you made a smart move trying out different brands and buying in bulk; honestly, the markup at the office can be wild.
As for food rules, I wish there was more nuance given too. Most offices hand out a “no-no” list that’s pretty strict, but in reality, it’s more about avoiding things that are super sticky or hard enough to pop a bracket off. Popcorn is one of those tricky ones because of the kernels—they’re notorious for breaking brackets and getting stuck. Puffed corn is a solid compromise (I’ve seen families do rice cakes or Pirate’s Booty too).
The gum rule… that’s a tough one. I’ll admit, most kids don’t last long. Sugar-free gum is technically less risky for cavities, but it can still get wrapped around wires if you’re not careful. I’ve seen some orthodontists relax on this if the kid is responsible and sticks to softer stuff, but it’s rare.
You’re definitely not alone in navigating all these random challenges. It sounds like you handled it with a lot of common sense and flexibility—sometimes that matters way more than just following every rule to the letter.
Cost is a big one—those little extras add up fast. I kept a spreadsheet for my grandson’s braces and was surprised how much we spent just on wax, mouth rinse, and travel brushes. Agree on the food rules, too. We found cutting sandwiches into smaller pieces helped avoid biting with front teeth, which his ortho said was the main risk. Never thought about puffed corn, but that’s smart. He did miss gum, but sugar-free mints were an okay substitute most days.
