"One thing I did find useful that doesn't get mentioned as often—silicone bracket covers."
Glad you brought these up! Silicone covers really don't get enough attention, and honestly, they saved me from a lot of frustration too. Wax was always a hassle for me—I remember one time during a work meeting, I realized mid-conversation I'd swallowed half the wax I'd put on earlier... talk about awkward.
But yeah, DIY braces hacks are genuinely scary. I've seen a few cases come through the office from kids who tried those rubber band tricks, and it always makes my stomach drop. Teeth shifting isn't something to mess around with casually; the damage can be irreversible or at least very expensive to fix. Your cousin was lucky her mom caught it early.
It's reassuring to see people sharing their experiences openly like this. Hopefully, it helps steer others away from risky shortcuts. Braces are tough enough without adding extra drama!
Silicone covers sound interesting, wish I'd known about them sooner. Wax was always a pain for me too—kept falling off at the worst times. But honestly, these DIY hacks freak me out... I remember seeing videos of people using hair elastics to close gaps and thinking, "Isn't that dangerous?" I mean, braces are expensive enough already—why risk making things worse and paying even more later? Glad your cousin's mom caught it early; not everyone gets that lucky.
