Pain Relief with Dental Wax

Fairwood and Mercer Island Orthodontics

When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal, and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! Discomfort and soreness are normal especially after receiving orthodontic treatment of any kind…This is where dental wax comes in.

What is Dental Wax? Also referred to as Tooth Wax, Dental Wax is a substance made from paraffin, beeswax, or carnauba wax. It's solid at room temperature but softens from the warmth of your hands. It sticks to sharp surfaces inside your mouth and creates a smooth surface. Dental wax's primary use is to protect the mouth's sensitive areas such as the gums, lips, and cheek lining.

Is Dental Wax Safe? Orthodontic dental wax is a natural, non-toxic product and is safe to have in your mouth. Accidentally swallowing a little bit of wax will not cause you any harm or sickness.

How Does Dental Wax Work? The unique properties of dental wax make it perfect for protecting your gums, lips, and cheek lining from the metal edges of braces. The wax is solid at room temperature but can be softened and shaped by the warmth of your hands. When smoothed onto the braces that irritate, it sticks to them and creates a buffer between the brackets and the gums. Dental wax remains smooth while in the mouth and harmlessly flakes away or peels off as it breaks down.

Sore spots on the inside of your mouth can develop if your braces rub against the insides of your cheeks or lips, especially in the first days of you wearing braces. The best way to treat these sore spots is by applying a little dental wax to your braces.

How to Apply Dental Wax to Your Braces:

Step 1: Wash your hands thoroughly and brush your teeth prior to applying dental wax to remove any food stuck in the braces.

Step 2: Pinch a pea sized amount of wax between your thumb and forefinger and roll the wax into a ball for about five seconds. The warmth from your fingers will soften the wax and make it easier to mold around the brace or wire. Note: More is not better…using too much wax may result in the wax falling off.

Step 3: Before you apply the wax, dry off your braces with a tissue or a cotton ball. The drier the area is, the longer the wax will stick.

Step 4: Dental Wax can cover up any area where sharp or rough metal is irritating your inner lips and cheeks. The most common places are the brackets on your front teeth, and the sharp wires at the far back of your mouth. You should protect all of these areas before they develop into cuts or get infected.

Step 5: Using your thumb and forefinger, press the ball of wax over the bracket or wire causing you pain. Rub your forefinger over the wax a couple times to stick it in place. The wax should still stick out a little, forming a small bump. The wax barrier stops the irritation and allows the mouth the time to heal any sore spots.

Step 6: Replace the dental wax twice a day, or whenever it starts to fall off. Do not leave it on for more than two days, as bacteria can build up in the wax. Replace dirty wax after you finish your meal. Take off the wax before brushing your teeth, or the wax will get caught in your toothbrush.

Dental wax is available to help you ease the discomfort while wearing braces. While dental wax is on your braces, you can do normal things, such as eating and drinking water. Follow your ordinary healthy routines when it comes to your teeth, brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and using a mouthwash, to keep your teeth healthy and prevent tooth decay while wearing braces.

Persistent irritation and sores can become infected and lead to more serious problems. If you have tried dental wax for a couple of days and it has not helped alleviate your discomfort, give our office a call.