Irritation
The idea of braces cutting your lips teeth and tongue to shreds is a little melodramatic. Although the odd irritation, poking wire or scratchy bracket is an unpleasant situation that those with braces will know all to well.
This is where orthodontic wax comes in. It provides that much-needed relief during these situations by temporarily covering sharp surfaces inside your mouth. This helps protect the mouth’s soft tissues, such as the gums, lips and lining of the cheeks.
Orthodontic wax
This magical stuff is often made from paraffin, beeswax or carnauba wax. It’s solid at room temperature, but the warmth of your hands will soften it. The softened wax can be applied to sharp areas inside the mouth, where it adheres and creates a smooth surface. The wax is clear and unnoticeable when applied.
How to use it
When you first receive braces, your orthodontist will likely provide you with some orthodontic wax. Keep it in a safe place – you never know when you may need it!
Using the wax is very straightforward and easy to apply. First: you will want to ensure that your braces and hands are clean. Once that’s sorted, you can apply the product.
Take a small piece of wax (about the size of a pea) and roll it into a ball. Roll the wax for at least five seconds as the warmth from your fingers will help to soften it and make it easier to use. Once the wax has softened, gently flatten the ball into a disc shape. Carefully place it on the sharp area you want to cover and apply pressure to make it stick. If the wax flakes or peels away, apply more as necessary.
With orthodontic wax, sorting out that pesky, pokey wire can be done in a pinch until your next orthodontic appointment. And isn’t that just wonderful?
