How to Use Dental Wax for Braces Pain & Irritation
Some pain and irritation is normal with braces. Thankfully, with dental wax for braces you can protect your mouth and ease the discomfort
Making the decision to straighten your teeth is a big step, and a big commitment. No matter what age you start wearing braces, it is completely normal to experience some pain and irritation right after your braces are installed or adjusted. Unfortunately, there are also sometimes parts of your braces that can come loose and irritate your gums and the inside of your mouth. Luckily, just by keeping some dental wax for braces on hand, you can stay comfortable until you can have your braces readjusted. Remember, a little bit of irritation is normal but if your braces have broken, you should schedule an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as possible.
What is Wax for Braces?
Wax for braces is designed to protect your mouth from any unwanted rubbing or scratching of lips and gums
Wax is an important part of any braces travel kit.
Dental wax for braces is fairly self explanatory; it is a type of wax designed to protect your mouth. Generally, dental wax is either made from natural sources like beeswax or can be made from synthetic ingredients like paraffin wax made from petroleum. Dental wax is completely safe to have in your mouth and is not at all harmful if accidentally swallowed.
When properly applied, dental wax adheres to your braces to protect your gums or sides of your mouth that are irritated. The protection prevents any further rubbing on the inside of your mouth and will give you some time to heal..
When Should I Use Wax for my Braces?
Before you start straightening your teeth with braces, you should make sure that you have some wax on hand
Sometimes the solution to braces pain is as simple as keeping some dental wax on hand.
Braces are an excellent way to straighten your teeth, but what if you start to experience pain with your braces? Pain with braces is not always a bad sign, sometimes it just takes your mouth a little bit of time to adjust to metal braces. That does not mean that you should simply suffer through the initial discomfort. Grab some of your dental wax for braces to prevent any further pain or discomfort. Dental wax can even help keep your mouth safe in the case of a metal braces malfunction. Though it is not a permanent fix for those having trouble with braces, it can really come in handy if you are in a pinch.
Another important thing to note about wearing wax with your braces is that you should replace the wax frequently. Never keep wax in your mouth for more than 24 hours and replace your wax immediately if it begins to fall off.
How Does Wax Help Relieve Pain Caused by Braces?
With the help of dental wax, you can avoid a lot of the discomfort associated with metal braces
You never know when pain related to braces can pop up!
For those new to braces, dental wax is a must to keep on hand. When you apply the wax to the painful points or your metal braces, it effectively covers over the sharp angles that cause so much discomfort. After these edges are covered, you will notice a lot of relief and may even forget about getting used to your braces. Because you never know when a part of your braces may come loose or start scratching your mouth, we highly recommend keeping dental wax on you at all times, especially at the beginning of your braces journey.
How Do I Use Dental Wax The Right Way?
Proper use of braces wax gives your mouth time to heal and won’t affect your dental progress
Your orthodontist will show you how to use dental wax when you get your braces.
Now that we know what dental wax does and when it should be used, it's time to find out the right way to apply the wax to your braces. Follow these steps carefully for the best pain relief results using dental wax.
First, it is important to brush your teeth in preparation for the wax. A clean surface will prevent any excess plaque buildup or infection that could occur from trapping bacteria underneath the wax.
Next, use a tissue, paper towel, or a cotton ball to thoroughly dry the area that is causing discomfort. By drying the area, your wax will adhere better and stay in place for a longer period of time.
After you have successfully dried the area around your teeth and braces, it is time to apply the wax. Break off a small piece of wax and roll it into a small sphere shape. This also helps to warm the wax and make it more malleable. The amount of wax should be no larger than a pea, but may need to be smaller depending on the shape of your mouth.
Then, apply the small amount of wax to the troublesome point in your braces and gently rub to make sure the wax will stay in place on your braces.
The final step is to remember to change your wax a few times a day, and remove it whenever you are eating. Give your mouth enough time with the wax to begin the healing process and you will be well on your way to a painless braces experience.
Now that we have broken down the steps for protecting your mouth, it's time to get yourself some dental wax! With the help of dental wax, you’ll be able to straighten your teeth in comfort.
If you are experiencing consistent pain with your braces, or one of the metal wires came loose it is best to contact an orthodontist right away. Dental wax for braces is an excellent temporary fix, but won’t work well as a long term solution.
If you have questions about pain management while wearing braces, you can always contact Legacy Orthodontics for more information about how to straighten your teeth painlessly.