What Is Dental Wax for Braces?

Dental wax is made to be less visible and hence is clear in appearance.

It is solid at room temperature but softens from the warmth of your hands. The primary use of orthodontic wax is to protect your mouth’s sensitive areas, such as gums, lips, and the inner side of your cheeks.

Mostly, the wax is unflavored, but there are added flavors such as mint, cherry, and bubblegum.

Why Do You Need It?

During the initial stage of your braces journey, dental wax makes them more comfortable and adaptable.

Sometimes, the brackets of your braces rub against the insides of your cheeks, or the bracket can pop off inside your mouth. This causes major discomfort. Covering the edge with the wax provides immediate relief.

Applying the wax will separate braces from your teeth. This solves mouth sores until you get to see your orthodontist, and these are easy to apply and remove, making them suitable for kids and adults.

What Is It Made Of?

Dental wax is made of natural wax, beeswax, carnauba wax, microcrystalline, or paraffin wax, making it completely natural and safe.

How Does It Work?

Dental wax protects your gums from the metal edges of your braces. At room temperature, the wax is solid. You can soften and shape it with your hands. Once you smoothen it out, stick it on the braces. It creates a buffer between the brackets and your gums.

It will stick in your mouth and will peel off automatically. It is completely normal and not dangerous to consume some amount of the wax as it peels away.

How to Put Wax on Braces?

You need brace wax when you are getting used to new braces or fixing the protruding wire in your mouth. Regardless, the procedure of applying wax remains the same.

• Always wash your hands. You do not want any harmful bacteria going inside your mouth.
• Brush your teeth.
• Take a pea-sized amount of wax and squeeze it until it softens. Roll it into a ball and then slightly flatten the ball.
• Gently apply the wax to the problematic area with your hands. If you are comfortable, you can also use your tongue to adjust the wax.

Even after applying, consult your orthodontist if the wire still protrudes and causes a problem for you.

You can wear them overnight but replace the wax every two days. You can conveniently eat and drink with the wax on, but remove it if there’s food stuck in it or if it gets dirty.

When to Apply It?

Orthodontists recommend applying brace wax at night to avoid any hassle. They might also suggest some food that you should stick to while you have it on. Here is a list of foods that you should avoid when you have wax on your braces:

• Chewy food like bagels.
• Crunchy food like popcorn and ice.
• Hard food like nuts.
• Sugary food like candy and chocolates.

Benefits of Dental Wax for Braces

The frustration of having your braces poke the inner side of your mouth is highly discomforting, and not getting to meet your orthodontist urgently is even more frustrating. In this situation, wax for braces is an ultimate lifesaver.

Keep them as your resort if adjusting dislodged braces with Q-Tip or tweezer is not possible.

You can also use wax on dentures. Dentures are fixed on the metal framework to maintain the position and stability of your braces. There can be possibilities where the metal dislodges and bruises the inside of your mouth, and the dental wax can be a great relief from this discomfort.

It also provides relief from damaged and sore teeth and offers protection from the sharp edges of a fractured tooth.

Do’s and Don’ts of Using Dental Wax

Here are the do’s and don’ts of applying dental wax for braces to maintain a comfortable experience.

Do’s:

• Wash your hands before applying wax to your teeth to prevent bacteria from entering your mouth.
• Warm up the piece of wax by rolling it into a ball with your fingers for approximately five seconds.
• Dry the area you are going to apply the wax on. The drier the area will be, the better the wax will stick on.
• Ideally, replace the wax every two days or when it falls off. This way, there won’t be bacteria buildup in your teeth.
• You should leave the wax on your teeth overnight, as it gives your mouth more time to heal.
• Develop a habit of regularly checking for any red or swollen areas on the inside of your lips and cheeks. This ensures the damaged part is protected with the wax before it becomes infected.

 
 
Don’ts:

• Don’t forget to brush your teeth regularly after applying dental wax. This prevents any bacteria buildup and removes stuck food particles in your teeth.
• Don’t use too much of the teeth wax at once. Only a pea-sized amount would be enough, or else it will fall off.
• Don’t leave the wax for over two days, and never reuse the same wax again.
• If you decide to eat without removing the wax, make sure you replace it with clean wax.
• The wax is non-toxic, so don’t get alarmed if you accidentally swallow it.
• Refrain yourself from fixing wires or brackets by yourself. It will only cause more problems.

Can You Eat with Wax on Your Braces?

While you can eat food when wearing orthodontic wax, it can be difficult. Since the wax will cling to food as you eat, you may find it easier to remove the wax beforehand. If it is too painful to eat without wax, just be sure to replace the dirty wax after your meal. If you accidentally swallow some wax, don’t worry; although it may not taste good, orthodontic wax is not toxic.

Conclusion

Braces are an excellent investment when you need to straighten or align your teeth, but they can be a major discomfort initially before getting used to them. Brace wax will help you seek comfort during your braces journey.

Before using it, keep in mind that it is only a temporary solution to your braces’ pain. You should always consult your orthodontist before as a good precautionary measure.

At Putnam Orthodontics, we aim to provide you with top-quality dental services. Don’t hide your beautiful smile due to misaligned teeth anymore. Get the best results with our braces that include Invisalign treatment, clear braces, and ceramic braces.

Book an appointment now and start your journey of a beautiful smile with our safe and effective orthodontic treatment at an affordable price.