New braces for DS age 12. What do I need to know?

[pharmachameleon]

DS had an appointment at the orthodontist this morning and they said at his second appointment this week (Thursday) he'll get his top and bottom fixed braces fitted! I wasn't prepared for this as I thought they would need to send impressions of his teeth off and we would need to wait ages before his actual braces got fitted.
So it's happening on Thursday and I now feel unprepared! Any advice? What should I get beforehand-thinking dental wax and interdental brushes. Help.

Why don't you wait until you see the orthodontist and get their advice ?

I will @Softoprider however I had bottom fixed braces a few years ago and remember the pain for the first few days/weeks. Just trying to be prepared so I don't have to send him into school after his appointment in pain or whatever.

My 12 year old grandson has recently had braces fitted. It was painful at first and he did not like wearing them, but it soon wore off after a day or two and now it's fine. Perhaps give him some Nuramol before the appointment?

Thanks. Good to know the pain wore off quickly.

Make sure you pick up the wax from the orthodontist to put in any parts of the brace that rubs. Do not leave without it as its best to use from the start.

Plan to cook easy to eat stuff for the first three days. The day after the braces are fitted were the worse for my DD. The first time the braces are fitted are the most uncomfortable and then each visit thereafter will have a few days of discomfort. Also she struggled to sleep the first night.

Get all the recommended toothbrushes etc. makes looking after teeth easier.

The best thing we got was an interdental water jet flosser. Teeth in really good shape and clean when the braces came off.
You’ll probably need to buy bands from the orthodontist. Get a few packs.
Expect to go back every 8 weeks or so for brace tightening so have a think about days and times that work for you both (they’re not necessarily after school).

This is the last minute to make absolutely sure your ds wants to go ahead with treatment and realises he will have to step up cleaning and not eat certain foods (toffees ,chewing gum) and not keep up certain habits eg nail biting , pencil chewing.
The biggest problem is when children are pushed into dental treatment and then don't clean properly or sabotage treatment (one child I treated used to break arch wires with nail clippers) . Treatment is then stopped and they are not eligible for any more NHS treatment. Sometimes if a child is not sure it is better to wait a year until they mature and start treatment.
Everything else your orthodontist will advise.

Take pain killers before fitting and tightening appointments. It will hurt for a day or 2.
He probably won't be up to chewing much for a day or so either, so get in plenty of soft foods.

Thanks all. My DS seems to be really up for the idea of braces but I think he'll be surprised at the reality of them. He'll be fine with food I think as he doesn't really eat toffees etc.
I've just binned my Waterpix annoyingly as I prefer flossing. Aargh!!

Wax for when it rubs. Painkillers for 1st night. Soft food - soup, custard, youghurts. Gets better by day 3.

www.bos.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/British-Orthodontic-Society-FixedMarch2019.pdf

My DC both have braces. They don't usually hurt until the evening and then for 2 to 3 days.
We find wax doesn't really work. We have a gel (could be Bongela) that forms a protective film over the sore bit. It can also be used for mouth ulcers.
We have a waterpik but my two prefer interdental brushes. This one is good for the back teeth. The normal ones for the front.
My DS had his referral delayed because he didn't brush his teeth properly but the dentist always complements him on his brushing!
Also be prepared for visits back to have fixtures glued back on wires reattached to start with. Apparently first wire is thinner and pops out more. Avoiding baguettes will help with that hey DS!

Forgot the brush



Thanks for the info everyone. Really helpful