With faulty dental braces, a sore mouth, and no appointment with your orthodontist, dental wax for braces can be your dental buddy in your moments of desperation.
If you are a dental patient who wears braces, you know how inconveniencing they can be despite being a necessity. For instance, after having your teeth fitted with braces, you may feel an irritating scratch before adjusting to living with them. Other times it could be a case of product defect when your braces snap suddenly, leaving brackets and wires poking into the sensitive parts of your mouth.
When this happens, the discomfort can be unbearable, and this where dental wax for braces comes into play. Read on to know more about dental wax and how to use wax for braces.
Table of Contents
Understanding Dental Wax for Braces
Dental wax for braces is a synthetic gum protector that is harmless with no known side effects. It is used to cover dislodged brackets and wires of faulty braces in both adults and children. Wax for braces helps create a smooth surface to protect against broken braces’ rough and sharp edges.
You can expect the discomfort following a new dental procedure involving braces. However, if it persists for several days, you can apply dental wax to soothe your pain from the protruding wires and brackets. Wax for braces acts as a quick remedy before you schedule an appointment with your orthodontist. Orthodontic wax is a proven remedy for instant and effective relief from such inevitable eventualities that can endanger your mouth.
What is Dental Wax for Braces Made of?
Orthodontic wax or ortho wax is made of paraffin and carnauba wax. It can also contain beeswax. It turns rigid in room temperatures but softens in warm temperatures, especially body temperature. When applied to sharp edges of brackets and wires of braces, it turns thick and forms a smooth surface.
The result is comfort and protection of your cheek linings and whole mouth. Wax for braces is a clear substance that is less noticeable when used. A typical ortho wax has no flavor or odor. However, the latest innovations have seen cherry, mint, and bubblegum flavored wax for braces for better taste and maximum comfort.
Benefits of Dental Wax for Braces
You can never appreciate the benefits of wax for braces until you have new braces scratching your inner cheeks and driving you crazy. Even worse is when an urgent appointment with your orthodontist is not possible. Wax for braces can be your saving grace in such circumstances. You can try to adjust the dislodged braces with a tweezer or Qtip and only turn to wax for braces as a last resort. Besides braces, gum wax also helps with irritating dentures.
Instance Relief
Dentures are typically fixed along a metal framework to maintain the position and stability of the braces. The metal can become dislodged and bruise the soft tissues of your mouth. A gum wax offers instant relief in such a scenario. Finally, gum wax for braces provides temporary relief from a damaged and sore tooth. It’s a perfect home remedy for a broken tooth. When applied to the sharp edges of a fractured tooth, it offers tremendous protection.
Note that wax for braces only provides temporary relief as you make arrangements to see your dentist. It’s not a complete solution to dental issues. If you do not know how to put on wax on braces, you can follow the manufacturer’s user manual. However, if you need detailed professional guidance, you can call your orthodontist for expert guidance on applying wax for braces.
How to Put Wax on Braces
As we have seen, the benefits of dental wax for your braces are tremendous. To apply wax to braces, you must observe proper hygiene before you touch the gum wax. First things first, wash your hands thoroughly with lots of water and soap to avoid a possible bacterial infection to your already sore mouth. Next, brush your teeth thoroughly but gently to ensure that your braces are adequately clean. This will help prevent a build-up of plaque.
Clean and Brush First
Once you finish cleaning your hands and mouth, step in front of a mirror and carefully examine your mouth. Using your fingertips, feel around inside your mouth for any marks or swelling, carefully identifying painful spots. Once you can establish the most affected spots, locate the protruding brackets or wires and pat them dry with a clean, dry towel or piece of cloth.
Apply the Wax
Pinch a small portion of wax for braces on your hands. The wax will react to your body temperature and soften. When this happens, roll it into a ball and shape it accordingly. Take care not to use excess wax. That’s because it can fall inside your mouth and compound your discomfort.
Once you have molded the wax into the desired shape, apply it on top of the faulty braces. Pat gently with your fingers to ensure it is evenly spread and covers the entire spot. With the situation under control, your sore mouth is now set to heal. The healing process might be even shorter if you didn’t experience bleeding in your mouth before applying the wax for braces. So there you have it. You now know how to apply wax to braces.
If you need a video tutorial on how to put wax on braces, you can watch the same on YouTube. However, the process is much similar to the steps on how to apply wax to braces we have shared here.
When to Apply Dental Wax for Braces
Since this is a tedious process, specialists recommend that you apply wax for braces at night when going to bed to avoid such inconvenience. Your dentist may also recommend that you stick to certain foods while using braces, especially with wax on your teeth. Here are some foods you should avoid while using dental braces.
- Lacories, bagels, hard rolls, and similar chewy food
- Popcorn, ice, and similar crunchy foods
- Nuts and similar hard foods
- Candy and similar sugary foods
- Corn, apples, and similar foods that require aggressive biting
Wax for Invisalign Braces
If you are using the more sophisticated and less noticeable Invisalign aligners, you can still use wax for braces for the same purpose as traditional braces. Invisalign aligners are an advanced version of the conventional braces, but they are more flexible, transparent, and lightweight. Wax for Invisalign helps to soothe and massage sore gums, inner lips, cheeks, and tongue to prevent irritation.
Ways to Care for Your Braces
You can continue with your routine oral hygiene, even with wax for braces on. At Voss Dental in Houston, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice daily. Use a special toothbrush to clean off stubborn food and wax particles that may be lodged in your braces. As you brush, take care not to remove the wax. To clean between teeth, use your interdental brush. Floss or rinse your mouth with an approved mouthwash to avert a possible dental decay while using braces.
If you are an athlete who wears braces, you might want to go the extra mile to protect your braces from frequent damage. You should always wear a protective Mouthguard for Braces each time you are active. This will help prevent injury and regular visits to your orthodontist, which might be costly in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wax for braces CVS?
This is a mint-flavored wax variety that provides maximum soothing and comfort for a sore mouth. The mint properties of this wax offers a relaxing and soothing relief and is a favorite with most dental patients.
Does wax for braces dissolve?
Yes, it does. As time passes, it will eventually dissolve in your mouth due to saliva. Since it’s formulated with safe ingredients for consumption, you don’t have to worry about wax for braces walmart finding its way into your digestive system.
Which is the best wax for braces?
There are several wax brands in the market, and they come in different flavors or without flavor. At Voss Dental in Houston, we recommend only approved products to our patients. The products we recommend guarantees both patient safety and the safety of your dental appliances. Always go through the product’s main properties before using it.
For instance, you should consider the product’s shelf life. Is it easy to use? Can you remove it easily, or will it give you a hard time? Does it stick well on your braces? We recommend you to consult with your orthodontist on what brand you should consider before buying the wax.
Where Can I buy wax for braces?
If you are not sure where to buy wax for braces, you can get your dental wax from your orthodontic clinic. Alternatively, ask your doctor Where to buy wax for braces or to recommend a compatible brand with your condition, and you can purchase it at your local drug store.
Can I eat with wax on my braces?
Having gum wax for braces or even braces is a necessary pain. Although not toxic and safe to swallow, having wax in your mouth can be both a comfort and inconvenience. You can eat with wax in your mouth, but it calls for an even higher standard of oral hygiene. This involves constant brushing and flossing after every meal.
Consuming wax is perfectly safe, but it should be in small quantities. Anyway, you can remove it before eating if you don’t feel comfortable eating with it. If you decided to leave it, it’s advisable to remove the dirty wax after eating and apply another fresh portion. You don’t want to be that person going around with an ugly smile with braces stained with stale food particles.
So to answer your question – can you eat with wax on your braces? Yes, you can. But you need to maintain good oral hygiene.
How Much Do Dental Braces Cost?
The cost of dental braces depends on an array of factors. These include the type of braces needed and the severity of the dental condition that needs correction. If you are keen on your aesthetics when using dental braces, that’s yet another price factor to consider. Note that different braces have different prices, which are also susceptible to change depending on the patient’s condition.
- Traditional braces – $3,000 – $7000
- Damon braces – $6,700-$8,000
- Ceramic braces – $4,000$-8,600
- Lingual braces ( these are attached to the back of the teeth and are more costly.) – $8,000 -$10,000
- Invisalign aligners $5,000 -$8,000
Conclusion
Having braces fixed to align and straighten your dental formula is a worthy health investment. Good oral health and straight teeth make oral hygiene easier to maintain. At Voss Dental in Houston, our goal is to ensure you don’t struggle with crowded teeth, tooth decay, or an ugly smile. We strive hard to ensure that you enjoy good dental health and have the best and safe dental procedures. Whether it’s a painful tooth you need to be treated, a dental implant, dental braces you want to be fixed, or if it’s the best wax for braces that you need, talk to us. Whatever your dental needs are, we are here for you.