Braces can be a blessing for many people trying to get a good teeth smile, as well as a good bite. Many people may be familiar with braces but most of them are not well-aware of orthodontic wax. There are many people who have no idea what Orthodontic wax is and how to put wax on braces.

Let us tell you what braces are and how waxworks with them. Braces are basically used to align uneven teeth that may cause some issues like during eating, food particles get stuck in uneven teeth. Also, teeth that are not properly aligned can damage your self-esteem as you cannot smile with an open mouth since your teeth look awful.

But people using braces often face discomfort when they start using them initially. The braces’ wires may cause injuries when they come in contact with internal parts of the mouth. You often find your gums, cheeks, or lips sore due to the loose wires that keep touching them and cause you immense pain.

People with sore gums use orthodontic wax to cover the protruding wires and conceal them so that they do not come directly in contact with the internal mouthparts. Hence, in this way, it will save your cheeks and gums from any severe damage.

What are the main Ingredients of Orthodontic Wax?

Since dental wax is non-toxic and clear. You may chew some part of it unknowingly if it falls off in your mouth. According to the Canadian Association of Orthodontists, you can swallow dental wax without any potential harm as it is a product of natural wax.

The carnauba or beeswax are the main ingredients of dental wax. However, some pharmaceutical companies also make it from paraffin as well. The wax is generally flavorless, however, they also come in various flavors too, like mint or lemon.

Right Way to Put Wax on Braces:

Now let’s discuss the important part. Many people are not familiar with the way to put wax on braces.  Although people get the wax from the orthodontist after fixation of braces, most of them often don’t bother asking dentists why and how to use them? Let us tell you in detail the method to put wax on braces:

Get Your Hands On Some Dental Wax

Most of the orthodontists provide orthodontic wax along with other essentials after the braces fixation. If in case you lost it, you can easily get it from any pharmacy near your home. Also, it is not very expensive. You can get it for about $2-$5 easily.

Wash Your Hands Thoroughly

Before handling the orthodontic wax, you must clean your hands thoroughly. Use an antibacterial hand wash or soap and wash hands for at least 20 seconds. Then, dry your hands using a paper towel or tissue.

Brush Your Teeth

Brush your teeth before putting wax on braces to ensure no food particle residues remain in the mouth. This is important for your oral hygiene. Then, pat them dry so that wax remains in place and does not fall off.

Take Small Amount of Wax and Shape it into a Ball

Tear a small amount of dental wax from the wax strip. The size should be small. We recommend you to take an amount equal to the size of a pea. Then, press the wax by taking it between thumb and forefinger, till it softens and forms a ball shape from it.

Locate All The Painful Parts Of Your Inside Mouth

Now locate where your braces are hurting you. Pull your cheeks and look for all the swollen and sore parts of your inner oral cavity. You can feel it too as you can identify which part of the mouth is irritating you.

The most common regions where the braces hurt the most are the sharp wires at the far back of the oral cavity or brackets of the front teeth.

Apply The Wax On Braces Around The Painful Areas

Once you locate the painful spots of your inner mouth, start applying the wax balls on all the pain-causing parts of the braces one by one. Take the wax ball in between your fingers and press it with force over the protruding wires or the bracket. Then apply pressure to ensure it is fixed on the braces properly.

Replace The Wax Regularly To Ensure Hygienic Oral Cavit

Once you’re done with your wax application, you are good to go! But always remember oral hygiene is most important. You must replace the wax twice a day to avoid bacteria build-up.

If you’re eating and the wax is still in your mouth, then replace the wax immediately after finishing your meal.

Conclusion:

I hope you find this article helpful in learning how to put wax on braces and how it works to reduce your pain.

The braces can be painful but they are worth taking the risk. The orthodontic wax is very helpful to reduce your woes and once you develop strong mouth muscles, you even won’t need one!

However, if you feel the wax to be a burden since you need to change it regularly, you can go for an alternative. Dental Silicone is more durable and you do not have to replace it as much as wax needs to be.