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.
Totally get this. I thought the main cost was just the braces themselves, but those “extras” sneak up. I started buying generic wax and rinse at the pharmacy instead of the stuff from the ortho’s office—saved a few bucks each month. Honestly, every bit helps when you’re already stretching the budget. Never tried puffed corn though... we stuck with soft fruit and yogurt mostly.
I started buying generic wax and rinse at the pharmacy instead of the stuff from the ortho’s office—saved a few bucks each month.
That’s smart. I remember when my grandkids had braces, the ortho gave us a “starter kit” but after that, those little bottles were pricey. We ended up making our own saltwater rinse sometimes. Not fancy, but it did the trick.
Funny how those “starter kits” make you think you’re set, then suddenly you’re hunting for wax at midnight because the bracket’s poking again. I’ve tried the pharmacy wax too—honestly, it’s just as good and way cheaper. Saltwater rinse is such a classic. My kid grumbled about the taste but it worked for sore spots. Sometimes the simplest fixes are the best, even if they’re not fancy or minty.
Not gonna lie, I was all about the wax at first too, but we ended up switching to those little silicone covers you can get online. My kid actually found them less annoying—they stick better when things get really slobbery (gross but true). Pharmacy wax is fine in a pinch, but we had a few times where it just slid right off if there was any drool going on... which is like, half the time with braces.
I’m with you on the saltwater rinse though. It’s old-school but it does the job. We tried some of those fancy mouthwashes that are supposed to “soothe” but honestly, my kid hated the taste even more than saltwater. I did find that a tiny drop of mint extract in the saltwater helped with the flavor—might be worth a shot if your kid’s still grumbling.
Starter kits definitely make it sound easy, but man, there’s always some curveball. We learned quick to keep a stash of random dental stuff in every bag just in case.
Pharmacy wax is fine in a pinch, but we had a few times where it just slid right off if there was any drool going on... which is like, half the time with braces.
Funny you mention the wax vs. silicone covers—I actually found the opposite for my daughter. The pharmacy wax stuck around way better for her, especially when she was eating softer foods or drinking a lot of water. Those silicone covers kept popping off and getting lost (I swear we went through a pack in a week). Maybe it depends on the brand or just the way the brackets are shaped? Either way, I totally get the frustration.
The saltwater rinse is a classic, but my kiddo never got used to it—she said it tasted like “the ocean but worse.” We ended up using an alcohol-free kids’ mouthwash (the blue one with the cartoon whale?) and she didn’t mind that as much. I guess every mouth is different.
And yes to the dental kit stash! I keep one in my car, purse, even my gym bag now. You never know when a bracket’s gonna snap or something gets stuck.
