Dental wax is a very effective solution to mitigate the discomfort of orthodontics.
One of the first concerns of people who have started this type of treatment is whether it will cause pain.
The truth is that, regardless of the type of dental appliance you choose, once it is in place it is necessary to go through a period of adaptation.
Sometimes this period lasts a couple of days, although sometimes it can last up to the first two or three weeks of treatment.
You have no choice but to get used to having a new and strange presence in your mouth in order to speak and eat certain foods.
The main discomfort is caused by the dental movement itself that orthodontics performs.
But, especially in orthodontic treatment with brackets -metallic, sapphire or lingual-, it is common to feel discomfort due to the rubbing of the appliance on the oral mucosa: tongue, cheeks or lips.
Until you get used to orthodontics, we are going to explain why dental wax can make this process easier and how it should be used.
What is dental wax?
You’ve most likely heard of this product, also known as orthodontic wax.
It can be purchased in pharmacies and drugstores in the form of thin, white sticks.
Orthodontic wax
Enlarge image
DENTAL WAX
In addition to dental wax, the patient can opt for silicone, which generally adheres more easily and covers the surface of the brackets better.
However, both serve the function of protecting the oral mucosa from chafing and avoid causing pain if the person has a wound or sore.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR ORTHODONTISTS
How is the protective wax applied?
Applying orthodontic wax is very simple and is a process that can be done as many times as the person requires.
First of all, it is essential that you brush your teeth, with special emphasis on the area between the appliance and the tooth.
To do this, you can use an interproximal brush or an oral irrigator, which removes food debris more effectively.
Dry the surface of the bracket that causes the rubbing well, using a small cotton swab.
Remove a small amount of wax from the bar, about the size of a grain of rice.
Shape it into a round, flattened shape with your fingers.
Place the wax on the bracket – or on the area of discomfort – and press gently so that it adheres to the surface of the appliance.
In this way, the wax forms a layer that protects our skin from metal contact.
Dental wax will help you get through the adjustment period easier when starting orthodontic treatment.
Due to the oral movements that are made when speaking, it is normal for the wax to fall out.
You should not worry if you ingest it, as it is a harmless product and is not toxic.
To prevent it from interfering with chewing, you can also remove the wax balls while eating.
The wax protects the appliance from friction
Enlarge image
BRACKETS WITH WAX
What do I do if my braces have already caused sores?
You may notice the appearance of canker sores in your mouth a few days after the brackets have been placed.
When orthodontics has already created a sore, dentists recommend combining the use of dental wax with a specific product that accelerates the healing process.
This type of medication is sold in pharmacies and one of its components is hyaluronic acid, which accelerates healing.
Likewise, for those cases in which the affliction is too intense for the patient, it is common for the dentist to recommend an analgesic gel.
This is applied directly on the sore and has a soothing effect that acts for about half an hour.
Do not endure the pain
If the initial discomfort of the appliance is too much for you, ask your dentist about the possibility of taking medication.
Other uses for the wax
In addition to the metal bracket itself, it is possible to apply this protection in other cases.
Invisalign brackets
We have spoken of “bracket wax” and it is no coincidence, since it is the metal of these systems that makes it more likely to rub against the cheek or tongue.
Orthodontics using clear aligners, such as Invisalign, substantially reduce these discomforts associated with canker sores.
As they are removable splints that have no metal or sharp parts, the person has an easier adaptation period than if we are talking about metal or lingual brackets, such as Incognito.
Despite the advantage of Invisalign, sometimes the patient must wear attachments, small composite balls that stick to the surface of the tooth.
Its mission is to facilitate the grip of the splint so that previously planned dental movements can be performed.
The attachments are soft to the touch, so they do not usually cause wounds.
The attachments do not cause chafing.
Enlarge image
INVISALIGN ATTACHMENTS
But, as with brackets, if the person has a sore, it is possible to protect the affected area with a little dental wax.
Thus, we can put the wax on while we eat so that the contact does not bother us when we eat.
The orthodontic arch
The dental appliance is attached to the vestibular – external – part of the teeth, but these are joined by means of an arch.
Occasionally, this element may protrude more than necessary and may result in an injury to the inside of the cheek.
Until you can go to the dental clinic to have it cut, a good solution is to place bracket wax on the end of the archwire to prevent further injury.
Now that you know how to use dental wax and how it can help you get through the first few days with orthodontics, I’m sure it will be easier to bear.
Keep in mind that it is common to suffer this type of chafing at the beginning of treatment, as your mouth must get used to this new presence.
However, if after a reasonable period of time the discomfort does not subside, we advise you to go to the dental clinic.
In this way, the orthodontist who is treating you will be able to check your dental appliance and make sure that everything is going correctly.
You will be interested in ” Orthodontic treatments: before and after real cases
At DrAW Dental Clinic we are guided by editorial guidelines that ensure the veracity of all the information we publish. If you would like to learn more about how we ensure that our content is up-to-date and properly supported, we encourage you to read our editorial commitment.
