Yeah, I totally get that. When I first got braces, the cleanings were on a whole other level of uncomfortable—felt like they were digging for buried treasure around every bracket. My gums would just ache for hours after. But once I started actually flossing (threaders are a pain, but they work), and using that little water flosser thing, it made a huge difference. Didn’t think it would, honestly.
Now the cleanings are more annoying than painful. I still tense up when they get near my front teeth, but at least I’m not leaving with bloody gums anymore. Curious, did anyone else notice their teeth looking way whiter after a few consistent cleanings? I swear mine did, even though I’m not using any fancy whitening stuff.
I still wouldn’t call it a “fun” experience, but it’s not nearly as bad as it was at the start. Worth the hassle? For me, yeah, especially since my ortho said it helps avoid stains around the brackets. Not sure if it’s the same for everyone, though…
I totally relate to that “digging for buried treasure” vibe—sometimes I swear the hygienist is auditioning for an archaeological dig. The first few cleanings with braces were brutal for me too. But yeah, once I got the hang of the threaders and caved in to the water flosser hype (which, by the way, is basically a tiny pressure washer for your mouth), things got so much easier.
Funny you mention your teeth looking whiter. I noticed the same thing after a few months of not skipping cleanings. It’s not like I switched to some fancy whitening toothpaste or strips either. I think it’s just all that plaque and gunk finally getting evicted from between my brackets and wires. Makes sense, right? Plus, less inflammation means gums aren’t puffy and red, so your teeth look better overall.
Is it worth the hassle? For me, 100%. I’d rather deal with a little extra effort now than end up with weird bracket-shaped stains or gum issues later. Not exactly fun, but honestly, it beats dealing with surprises when the braces come off...
I’m still kinda worried about getting white spots or stains when my braces come off, even though I’m trying to keep up with cleanings. Did anyone still end up with marks even after being really careful? I use the water flosser and brush a lot, but I keep second guessing myself.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I was super careful too—like, brushing after every meal and using a water flosser because honestly, those things aren’t cheap. I still ended up with a couple of faint spots, but nothing super noticeable. Did your orthodontist suggest any extra stuff, like fluoride rinses? I found those pretty helpful. It’s tough not to worry, but it sounds like you’re doing everything right.
I totally relate to trying to keep costs down—those fancy flossers and rinses add up fast. I did the fluoride rinse too, but honestly, I started wondering if it was actually making a difference or just another thing to buy. Did you notice any change after using it? Also, how often do you go in for cleanings? I’ve been spacing mine out to save a little cash, but then I worry I’m cutting corners...
