DD getting braces next week -- looking for a good, budget battery toothbrush...

[mom2mikel]

My dentist yesterday recommended we get her a battery operated toothbrush to help clean her teeth better once the braces go on.

Does anyone have any suggestions? As always, looking for a good deal too!

TIA!

 

[torinsmom]

I don't know about a toothbrush, but my DS's orthodontist recommended a water pik to help with cleaning. We also bought the floss that had rigid ends to go in between the teeth, since the brackets are in the way.

Marsha

 

[EKW]

No tips here, but a suggestion...the water pik is a great idea, and be sure your daughter uses it regularly! My sister has a permanant line across one of her front teeth due to not cleaning well while she had braces! If I were you I'd go to Consumer Report and find out which one does the best job...and get it regardless of cost!

 

[southern_redhead]

I had braces for 5 years (yeah, I know I had some orthodontic issues LOL) and my DD has upper and lower arch expanders....so we have some experience with orthodontia

YES! Get a waterpik, you will not be sorry. Also, you can do regular floss if she prefers - they make a little "puller" thing that you thread the floss through and then use it to thread it into the teeth. Those little "wisps" or whatever they are would be good for daytime cleaning between meals as well (wish I'd had them years ago.) We use the $5 spin brushes at walmart. I looked at more expensive ones but I like to do new toothbrushes each month and felt like I could throw $20 out (for me, 2 DS's and DD) rather than worrying about replacement heads and such. My 14 year old stepson has braces and he uses a plain toothbrush at his house but likes the spinbrush we give him at ours as well. Electric brushes will help her with brushing but her best friend will be floss. Those tiny spaces can get gross in a hurry!

 

[mom2mikel]

Thanks -- so a water pik it is Any suggestions on a particular model?

 

[Cindy B]

Both of my kids are in braces and I had them as well..

I would recommend against the cheapie spinbrushes. My son and daughter both used the cheapie spin brushes (The $7-$15 ones) and the brackets of the braces would just spin off.


We have the $129.00 Phillips Sonicare which is incredible. Now I got the Sonicare for free because of the Bzz Reports, so I'll keep it. THe heads are a bit more expensive but we were able to even use FSA funds for the heads because we got a letter from the orthodontist saying that he recommended the brush.

The Sonicare is wonderful.

The waterpik was just too messy and watery.. The sonicare is great because it does give you a great teeth feeling and it is much better.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I don't know about a toothbrush, but my DS's orthodontist recommended a water pik to help with cleaning. We also bought the floss that had rigid ends to go in between the teeth, since the brackets are in the way.

Marsha

Thanks -- so a water pik it is Any suggestions on a particular model?

Was just coming on here to say Water Pik! DS is about to get his braces off but had trouble cleaning between the gums and the braces and both the ortho and the hygenist recommended a water pik. DS actually really likes using it too so it was a win~win kind of thing. We didn't buy the name brand...just went into target and bought the cheapest one which was around $35 or so and it works great! Most of them were much more money but this one does the job just fine.

We also use those floss picks, very very handy!

He's used regular toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, spin brush, etc....the thing that ended up working the best was when the hygenist gave him a "kids" toothbrush, it seemed to be the right size and made all the difference although he felt silly using it, he got over that quickly.

 

[Schachteles]

The waterpik is awesome, a definite must have. We got this one from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Waterpik-WP-1...ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1279129913&sr=8-1 and it was about $10-12 cheaper than Target. It has a brush attachment that my DD uses too.

 

[midwestdee]

I have the Phillips Sonicare too - I really like it. Also, they put out coupons for the units and the replacement toothbrushes, 2 or 3 times a year. I got mine before Christmas at Kohls - had a % off at Kohl's and used the coupons for the unit and a couple of packs of replacement toothbrushes. So if you ever wondered if Kohls takes manufactures coupons, they do! You can also find these toothbrushes at Target, among other places.

 

[2luvmickey]

Check with your dentist or orthodontist to see if they sell toothbrushes. Years ago, I bought an Oral B rechargeable from my dentist, and it had a rebate form as well. Our orthodontist also gave my kids a battery toothbrush when the braces went on.

Also, check Target, or Kohl's (don't forget to use a coupon!). The cheaper toothbrushes just don't have the "spin" power to clean the teeth. The Water Pik is a great idea too.

 

[scrapquitler]

Our orthodontist also gave my kids a battery toothbrush when the braces went on.

What she said! Before you buy, find out if your orthodontist will be giving you one! I was very surprised when my DD got her braces that she came out of the office with a 'goody bag' from the ortho...a bunch of balloons, a crest tote bag, which contained a tube of toothpaste, a full size bottle of mouthwash, a bag of flossers, a box of braces wax, two bags of elastics, a bunch of coupons for toothbrush heads, tooth paste and mouthwash and THIS: http://www.amazon.com/Oral-Professi...ef=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1279138079&sr=8-8 Yes, that toothbrush costs $110 on Amazon.

SO ask before you spend the money!

 

[ceecee]

We recommend Crest Spin Brush in our office or if you want to spend $ a Sonicare.

 

[Psychodisney]

I love my sonicare. I got mine at Costco a few years ago for about half what they cost elsewhere.

 

[seashoreCM]

I suppose the Waterpik would help but I think an ordinary soft* toothbrush that you use gently and spend a lot more time with is better than a battery powered one.

Also I think it is okay to use a little more toothpaste than the tube suggests.

Health hints: http://www.cockam.com/health.htm

* Don't buy or use "medium" or "hard" toothbrushes.

 

[Mommee]

DS received a sonicare for "free" (I'm sure that cost is built into the fee) when he got his braces. He had them on for three years and never had a cavity and there was no staining when they were removed. They can regularly be found for under $50 now, and can be used for more than one person since you change out the brush heads (they have colored bands on the heads to keep track).

oh-and since they're rechargeable (at least the ones we have are) ...no batteries!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Honestly, the Sonicare ones are really the best. I'm sure you can go to Ebay and find one at a discounted price.

I can usually find ANYTHING I am looking for on Ebay. I have probably saved thousands in the past few years over retail prices at local stores.

 

[barbmouse]

Give your ortho a call. We also received "free" electric toothbrushes on the day that the braces were put on. I had no idea that this was the policy until my first child got braces.

Waterpics are great too but in addition to the electic toothbrush IMHO. Good luck with the braces. They are soooooooooo worth it!!

 

[mom2mikel]

THANK YOU ALL!! I will check with the ortho before buying anything, but I like the combination of the rechargeable toothbrush AND the waterpik!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

our orthodontist provided an electric toothbrush for his patients with braces.

 

[21yankees]

DS received a sonicare for "free" (I'm sure that cost is built into the fee) when he got his braces. He had them on for three years and never had a cavity and there was no staining when they were removed. They can regularly be found for under $50 now, and can be used for more than one person since you change out the brush heads (they have colored bands on the heads to keep track).

oh-and since they're rechargeable (at least the ones we have are) ...no batteries!

Give your ortho a call. We also received "free" electric toothbrushes on the day that the braces were put on. I had no idea that this was the policy until my first child got braces.

Waterpics are great too but in addition to the electic toothbrush IMHO. Good luck with the braces. They are soooooooooo worth it!!

My dd's orthodontist gave her an electronic toothbrush for free (probably build into the price ), she loves it.

steph