Let Orthodontic Wax Make Wearing Braces a Breeze

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If you are wearing metal braces, you may occasionally find your mouth irritated by brackets or wires. If this happens to you, there is an effective tool in your smile care kit that can help–orthodontic wax. Orthodontic wax is used to cover sharp areas of your metal wires and brackets to provide relief from oral irritation. All you need to do is apply it properly.

Today, our San Diego Orthodontic Specialists orthodontic team and is pleased to share how to use orthodontic wax for our patients who are aligning their smile with braces by following these steps:

Cleanliness: Please wash your hands before you place the wax in your mouth to avoid introducing bacteria to your mouth. This is very important if have a cut or sore on your lips, cheeks, or gums. Next, clean your teeth. Brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush will clean the area to avoid trapping food particles or plaque under the wax. This will also help you keep the wax cleaner. Be sure to remove the food that is stuck in the area where you plan to apply the wax.

Shaping your wax: Now that the are is clean, take a small amount of wax the size of the area you’re going to cover and roll it into a small ball. Roll the wax for at least five seconds to allow the warmth of your fingers to soften the wax, making it easier to place. Please note that using too much wax may cause the wax to fall off of the area you are trying to protect.

Positioning your wax: Find any sore areas of your mouth and press the ball of wax over the bracket or wire. Gently rub it back and forth a couple times to make it stick into place. You will want the wax to stick out of your braces a tiny bit, forming a small lump. And that’s it!

Your smile is now protected against continued irritation. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, please call our office at 858-487-8900. You can also schedule an appointment with Dr. David Li if you are having problems with your braces. San Diego Orthodontic Specialists is here to help you have the best orthodontic experience possible while aligning your smile!