10 Things Your Braces Survival Kit Needs

Are you ready to take on your upcoming orthodontic treatment confidently? While traditional braces are a reliable way to correct nearly any misalignment issue, they require some extra care. It’s essential that you’re prepared to keep your smile healthy and pain-free during your treatment, which is why it’s a good idea to put together a braces survival kit. Not sure where to start? Here are 10 essentials that you should definitely include.

1.) Mini Toothbrush & Flossing Tool

It goes without saying, but you should know that it’s likely that food will get caught between your braces. Make sure to keep a mini toothbrush and flossing tool with you so you can keep your smile clean of embarrassing and cavity-causing particles on the go.

2.) Travel Sized Mouthwash

With so many small spaces created by braces wires and brackets, mouthwash is a fantastic item for your survival kit. Mouthwash can help wash out those hard to clean places and fortify the enamel with fluoride.

3.) Dental Wax

Any orthodontic patient can tell you that dental wax is essential during treatment. This biocompatible material can make all the difference if your soft tissues are feeling sore or irritated.

4.) Over-the-Counter Pain Relivers

Braces are not painful, but it’s normal to experience some discomfort when first wearing them or after an adjustment. OTC pain relivers like Ibuprofen are a great way to stay comfortable if you need the extra support.

5.) Gauze

In the event that you accidentally bite the inside of your cheeks or lips and sustain a cut, a clean piece of gauze is handy to have to clean the area and stop any minimal bleeding.

6.) Cotton Swabs

Q-tips and cotton swabs are another good tool to have on hand in case of an accident. If a wire pops out of place and you can’t get to your orthodontist right away, you may be able to put the wire back in place with the help of a cotton swab.

7.) Lip Balm

An often-overlooked side effect of braces is chapped lips. To prevent this or promote healing, make sure you have a lip balm that’s at least SPF 15 and includes ingredients like beeswax or shea butter.  

8.) Compact Mirror

It’s a good idea to keep a small compact mirror with you. This way, you can check to see if any food is stuck in your braces or discover what’s going on if something doesn’t feel right in your mouth.

9.) Water Bottle

Like mouthwash, drinking plenty of water throughout the day will clean out areas that are difficult to brush and floss. Plus staying hydrated will help keep your gums healthy and your teeth strong.

10.) Your Orthodontist’s Contact Information

Perhaps most importantly, you should have your orthodontist’s phone number saved in your phone or written on a piece of paper and kept in your braces survival kit. Should anything go wrong with your braces, having your orthodontist’s contact information on hand will help you stay calm and get the help you need right away.

About the Practice

At Serenity Orthodontics, we’re pleased to offer personalized orthodontic treatments in Windermere, Vickery Village, Braselton, and the surrounding communities. We don’t just help our patients achieve straighter smiles. We go above and beyond to make the entire experience as smooth, comfortable, and pleasant as possible. Our friendly and experienced team is excited to be with you every step of the way during your treatment to ensure that you are set up for success! To learn more about preparing for braces, we can be contacted online or at (678) 879-3006.