Did you recently begin orthodontic treatment? Congratulations – you’re a big step closer to the smile you’ve always wanted! In the meantime, you’ll probably get advice from your friends and family who had braces, like “make sure to ask your orthodontist for dental wax!” To learn what dental wax is and why it’s so helpful while you have braces, keep reading.
What Is Dental Wax and Why Is It Helpful?
Spoiler alert: dental wax is different than candle wax. Crafted from beeswax, paraffin wax, and other natural materials, it can effectively protect your lips, gums, and the insides of your cheeks from the sharp brackets and wires of your braces. Since it’s designed specifically for orthodontic treatment, you can keep it in place all day without worry. Simply remove the dental wax when it comes time to eat or brush your teeth and apply some more when you’re done!
How To: Use Dental Wax Properly
Dental wax isn’t just effective; it’s also incredibly easy to use. When you notice that one of your brackets or wires is irritating the soft tissue in your mouth, simply pinch off a small piece of dental wax. Next, place it over your braces, molding it to cover the sharp edge. It’s as simple as that! Since you don’t need much, a packet of dental wax should last your whole treatment.
What to Do If Dental Wax Isn’t Enough
If you’re experiencing discomfort that can’t be alleviated with dental wax, don’t worry – there are other options. One is to sip on cold water or place a towel-wrapped icepack against the outside of your cheek. This will help soothe inflammation and provide a temporary numbing sensation. If you need something a bit stronger, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed.
Some soreness with braces is expected. You are moving your teeth into entirely new positions, after all! Luckily, that doesn’t mean you have to deal with irritation from your brackets and wires. Simply apply some dental wax so you can go about your day without any discomfort!
About the Practice
If you think that braces have to be uncomfortable, think again! At Super Braces of Southbridge, we’ll do what we can to make your orthodontic treatment as smooth and seamless as possible. That starts by sharing all of our tips and tricks on how to prevent the brackets and wires from irritating your mouth. If you want to learn more about life with braces, you have a question about dental wax, or you’d like to schedule an appointment, then don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (508) 909-6719.