Brackets and wires in stirrups can rub against the inside of your cheeks or lips. If you're planning on wearing braces, there's a chance that they'll cause sore sores, especially in the first few days or weeks after your braces are placed. The best solution for stinging or preventing blisters is to attach dental wax to the bracket as a barrier to protect the lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums. Usually, orthodontists give dental wax to patients who have just worn braces. This article explains how to attach dental wax to brackets or braces.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Getting Ready
Step 1. Prepare the dental wax
After the installation of braces, orthodontists usually provide a box or bag containing the main equipment that must be owned by braces users, including dental wax. If not, ask the orthodontist. You can buy dental wax at the pharmacy if supplies run out.
- Once the braces are in place, there's a chance that the brackets or braces will rub against the inside of your cheeks or lips, so you'll need to use a lot of dental wax.
- After a few days or weeks, the skin of the oral cavity thickens so that the use of dental wax is reduced.
Step 2. Wash hands before handling candles
Clean your palms with soap, rinse with clean water for at least 20 seconds, then dry. Do not let bacteria enter the mouth, especially if there are wounds or abrasions in the oral cavity.
Step 3. Make a small ball of dental wax
Take some wax from the box, then roll it with your fingers to form a ball. Make sure the wax ball can wrap around the bracket or wire that irritates the mouth. Usually, you will need to make a wax ball the size of a corn kernel or pea.
- Roll the wax for at least 5 seconds until the wax feels soft due to the warmth of your fingers making it easy to use.
- The wax will come off if used excessively.
Step 4. Find the part of the mouth that feels sore or sore
Wax serves to wrap sharp or rough metal on the stirrup so that the inside of the lips or cheeks is irritated. Usually, pain or stinging is caused by brackets on the front teeth and sharp wires on the back teeth. Open your mouth wide or slightly pull your lips together to see if your mouth is chafed, swollen, or bright red. In addition, gently press the cheek to find out the position of the bracket that makes the mouth sore. Protect the oral cavity so that the braces do not cause injury or infection.
If you can't see the sore area of your mouth, put the handle of a spoon or chopstick into your mouth and gently press your cheek to the side
Step 5. Brush your teeth before applying wax to the braces
Although not mandatory, this step can reduce bacteria in the mouth to keep the wax clean. At the very least, clean the bracket that will be wrapped with wax if there is food stuck.
Step 6. Dry the bracket
Before gluing the wax, dry the bracket with a tissue. The wax sticks longer if the bracket is completely dry.
Part 2 of 2: Sticking Candles on Braces
Step 1. Stick the wax on the brackets or braces
Hold the candle with your index finger and thumb, then attach it to the bracket or wire that causes the mouth to feel sore or sore. If it is near the wisdom teeth, insert the wax as far as possible, then remove the thumb from the mouth. Use your index finger and tongue to attach the wax.
Dental wax material is edible and non-toxic. So, it is not dangerous if the wax is swallowed
Step 2. Rub the wax after pasting
Use your index finger to rub the wax several times to keep it from coming off, but try to make it look like a mini bun.
Step 3. Experience the benefits of dental wax
The pain subsides immediately after the wax sticks to the stirrup. The wax stops irritation so the chafed skin heals again. Irritation is reduced if you are used to wearing braces so you rarely use wax.
Step 4. Glue the wax as needed
Carry dental wax in your bag if you want to leave the house. Change the wax on the braces 2 times a day or if it starts to fall out. Do not leave it for up to 2 days because bacteria can accumulate on the candle.
- The food will stick to the wax when you chew the food. If the braces are so sore in your mouth that you can't eat unless they're covered in wax, replace the wax with a new one as soon as you're done eating.
- Remove the wax before brushing your teeth to prevent the wax from getting stuck on the toothbrush.
Step 5. Use dental silicone
In addition to dental wax, dental silicone in the form of strips attached to the stirrup can be an alternative solution. Compared to dental wax, dental silicone is more durable because it is not soluble by saliva and enzymes in the mouth so it does not need to be replaced often.
- Before applying dental silicone, make sure you have dried the braces and teeth.
- If you want to use dental silicone, ask your orthodontist for a tester or buy a small pack at the pharmacy to try for a few days.
Step 6. See an orthodontist if the pain persists
If you've been using dental waxes and silicones, but to no avail, see an orthodontist immediately. Irritation and pain that doesn't go away can lead to infection and serious problems. If braces bother you a lot, don't hesitate to see an orthodontist. He can help you solve the problem by providing the best solution.
Tips
- Make sure you've dried the braces and teeth before applying wax or dental silicone to make them last longer.
- If you don't have or haven't had time to buy dental wax, use a red wax for cheese wrap. Take a small piece of wax and warm it with clean palms. If the wax is soft, stick it to the stirrup that bothers you.
- Usually, orthodontists provide dental wax for free to patients.
- Don't worry about the wax sticking permanently. The wax will fall off on its own after 1-2 days.
- Use dental wax as needed. If candles are out of stock, ask an orthodontist or buy them at a pharmacy.
Warning
- Do not stick gum on the stirrups because it can be swallowed or permanently attached.
- When you've finished sticking the wax, you may have a hard time pronouncing certain letters depending on how much wax you've used.
- The pain when wearing braces is not due to sharp metal and cannot be treated with wax or dental silicone. The tooth will feel sore 1-2 days after the braces are adjusted or tightened. See an orthodontist if the tooth still hurts after 2 days.
