A Braces Care Package

Our eldest tween got braces on yesterday - oh the drama! MsTwixt recalls being excited to get her braces when she was a tween because it was a rite of passage into teenager-hood. Alas, our tween was/is traumatized by the event.

To help ease the pain, both literally and figuratively, we ducked into our local supermarket and put together a quick care package (for whatever reason, it hadn't occurred to me to anticipate this drama). Her orthodontist warned us that the first few days would be quite sore, so soft foods would help. Here's what we included:

• Ibuprofen (for the pain)
• A magazine (to hopefully distract her a bit)
• Foods her orthodonist said she could eat:
• Smooth ice creams with no nuts or candy (her favorite are the Starbucks flavors) - we covered their tops with freezer tape labeled "For braces ONLY" to ward off her siblings (and her dad)
• Applesauce
• Pudding cups
• Yogurt cups
• Lip balm (to help soothe some very chafed lips)
• Disposable toothbrushes like Wisp (to ensure she can still make it to class on time after lunch)
• Balloons in her favorite color sporting big smiles with braces

Other items that would be great to include: straws, a stuffed animal with braces embroidered on, dental wax, special orthodontic toothbrushes, orthodontic dental floss, and a travel mirror.

The care package brought a smile back to her face - mission accomplished! 

The list of foods she should avoid was long, so we're researching options for substitutes that she can enjoy (e.g. Pirate's Booty instead of popcorn at the movies) - PLEASE share your tips for braces-safe food swaps!

If you liked this post, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here. You can also get up-to-the-minute updates on tween lifestyle by following us on Twitter and on Facebook. Bookmark this on Delicious Pin It