Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was medically reviewed by Cara Piskai. Dr. Cara Piskai, DMD is an Orthodontist and the Owner of Piskai Orthodontics in Voorhees, New Jersey. She has over five years of experience in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. She completed a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She completed her residency and earned a Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics and a Master's degree in Oral Sciences at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Dr. Piskai is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). She holds a position on the U.S. News & World Report Medical Review Board.
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If you have braces you may find that they rub against the insides of your cheeks or lips. Sore spots on the inside of your mouth can develop because of this, especially in the first days and weeks of you wearing braces. The best way to treat this is simply by applying a little dental wax to your braces. The wax helps to make a barrier between your braces and your lips, cheeks, tongue and gums. The wax is easy to apply and will most likely have been supplied to you by your orthodontist.
Steps
Acquire a box of dental wax. When you first received your braces, it is likely that your orthodontist gave you a pack with some essential supplies. Dental wax should have been included in the pack.[1] Dentist Jeremy Silverman explains that "orthodontic wax placed over the sharp area will provide relief" from poking and rubbing. If you lose it or run out, you can easily buy another box from your local drugstore, or ask your orthodontist for some more.- You will probably find that your braces irritate the inside of your mouth most when you first have them, so they will require more wax.
- Over time, the skin on the inside of your mouth may toughen up and you may find you require less wax.
Wash your hands. Dentist Jeremy Silverman emphasizes that it's important to "be sure to wash your hands thoroughly and brush your teeth prior to applying orthodontic wax." Scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, then dry them thoroughly. Likewise, give your teeth a thorough brushing before applying the wax. You don't want to bring any bacteria into your mouth, especially if you have a cut or sore.- While this doesn't have to be your most thorough brush job, at the very least, remove any food stuck in the braces where you plan to apply the wax.
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Shape a small ball of wax. According to dentist Jeremy Silverman, you should "pinch a pea sized amount [of wax] between the thumb and forefinger and roll the wax into a ball. It can be flattened slightly to cover more area if needed."- Roll the wax for at least five seconds. The warmth from your fingers will soften it and make it easier to mold around the brace or wire.
- Using too much wax may result in the wax falling off.
Locate painful areas. 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. Pull your cheek out and look for any bright red or swollen areas, or gently probe your cheek to find tender areas. You should protect all of these before they develop into cuts, or get infected.- If you're having trouble seeing, use a metal rod or small spoon to push out your cheek.
Dry off your braces. Before you apply the wax, dry off your braces with a tissue or a cotton ball.[2] The drier the area is, the longer the wax will stick.
Press the wax over the painful area. Using your thumb and forefinger, press the ball of wax over the bracket or wire causing you pain. If the wire is at the back of your mouth, push as far as you can, then withdraw your thumb and use your forefinger to position the wax. Dentist Jeremy Silverman adds that "your tongue can be used to make slight adjustments if needed."- The wax is edible and non-toxic, so it doesn't matter if you swallow it.
Rub it in place. 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.
Allow the wax to work. Once you have applied wax to your braces, your mouth should heal itself quite quickly.[3] The wax barrier stops the irritation and allows the mouth the time to heal any sore spots. As you become accustomed to your braces, you will find they cause less and less irritation and you won't have to use the wax as often.
Reapply the wax regularly. Keep some wax on you when you are out and about. Replace the 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.- The wax will pick up food as you eat. If the braces are too painful to let you eat without wax, replace the dirty wax after you finish your meal.
- Take off the wax before brushing your teeth, or you'll get wax caught in your toothbrush.
Consider dental silicone. One common alternative to dental wax is dental silicone. This comes in strips that you apply to braces. The silicone is more resilient as it impervious to the saliva and enzymes in your mouth, which means that you will have to reapply it less frequently.- The downside is that your braces must be completely dry before you apply it.
- If you want to try silicone, ask your dentist for a tester pack, or buy a small amount from the store and test it out for a few days.
Contact your orthodontist if the pain persists. If you have tried wax and silicone and they haven't helped, get in touch with your orthodontist. Persistent irritation and sores can become infected and lead to more serious problems. If you are having a really tough time with your braces, don't be shy about getting in touch with your orthodontist. They will help make them more comfortable.[4]- If the pain is from an irritated area in the mouth, such as the cheek or lip, doing warm salt water rinses several times a day might help heal the tissue and decrease irritation.
- You should see an orthodontist right away if your pain results from a wire poking or a bracket that has come off. The orthodontist and staff have the proper tools to trim or recenter a poking wire and to repair a broken bracket.
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Expert Q&A
- QuestionDo I leave the wax on overnight or do I remove it before bed?
Cristian Macau, DDSDr. Macau is a Doctor of Dental Surgery based in London, England. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic where he is known for his cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics work. He is actively involved in scientific research in the field of dentistry and he received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.
Doctor of Dental SurgeryYou can leave it overnight for protection. While you sleep, you have no control of your muscles so the metal wires can cause even worse injuries especially if you sleep face down. There will be no problems if you swallow the wax, so don’t worry about wearing it during the night. - QuestionCan you reuse wax and if so how can you clean it before reusing it?Cristian Macau, DDSDr. Macau is a Doctor of Dental Surgery based in London, England. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic where he is known for his cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics work. He is actively involved in scientific research in the field of dentistry and he received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.
Doctor of Dental SurgeryOrthodontic wax is not that expensive (your orthodontist may even give it to you for free), so there is no point in reusing it. Once you have put it on the brackets it will eventually crumble and fall off, so if you try to reuse it it won’t have the same effect and it will fall off easier.
Tips
- If you don't have any store-bought wax or unable to find any, you can use the red wax rind of the Babybel (Edam) cheese as an alternative. Just take a small piece and warm it up in your clean hands. Once it has softened, place over the area that is bothering the inside of your mouth.Thanks
- Make sure your braces are dry in the area you want to apply the wax. It will stick longer.Thanks
- Some orthodontists give wax for free.Thanks
Warnings
- Never put chewing gum on your braces. It may stick permanently, or you could accidentally swallow it.Thanks
- When done applying the wax, some people may have a small to large lisp depending on how big the wax is.Thanks
- Aches are not caused by sharp metal, and will not be fixed by wax. Your teeth will ache for a while after your braces are fitted or tightened and you might use some over-the-counter pain medication if needed. If they ache for more than a few days, contact your orthodontist.Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about applying dental wax to braces, check out our in-depth interview with Cara Piskai.
References
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
To apply dental wax on braces, start by pulling off a little piece of the wax and rolling it into a pea-sized ball. Roll the ball between your fingers for a few seconds to warm it up, which will make it easier to apply. Then, press the ball of wax onto the bracket or wire that's causing pain. Rub your finger over the wax a few times so it stays in place. To learn how frequently you should reapply dental wax, scroll down!
Reader Success Stories
"This article really helped me. I had wax at my home, which my dentist gave me on my first visit, but never tried to use it. Last night my palatal wire broke and its sharp edge was cutting into my palate and into my tongue. I searched online for help and found this very helpful article."..." more
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