Metal Mouth Message Board

I've only got braces for a bit less than 3 months, my usage of wax has been on and off. I thought I finally got used to the metal 2 weeks ago, but now the scratching just flares up again after my mood gets better and become talkative again:( So now, even when not talking, I can't last a minute without wax. I have been asking 5 packs of wax each time I stop by my ortho's office and felt really embarrassed to do so. But now after it becomes my survival necessity, I'll probably even need more. Is this normal? I did read about people using wax all the time even after one year into braces. Do you guys also ask for tons of wax from the ortho's office, too? They should grant us unlimited supply of wax, since we are paying so much, right?

I would say when braces first went on, I went through 1 whole pack of wax (so that's 5 tubes/strips of it)
But haven't used any since the two weeks or so
First adjustment is next week so guessing I'll be using some again.

When I first got braces, I tried to refrain from using it as much as possible - but I used it when the sores got to be so bad I couldn't talk (I talk for a living) and when my lips would get caught on the brackets, which was socially embarrassing. I had it on pretty much most of the time for about the first week, at least when I was awake and not eating --- the pain was so bad I could barely talk, so I had to keep it on in order to stay at work.

Normal adjustments, I only use it for a few days. When I had springs on the wires, I used it a little more... maybe for as long as week or randomly when my teeth shifted a bit.

Now without the springs, I rarely use it. I will use it for a day or two, maybe not even that much. I will use it on a sore bracket.

I always pick up a couple or three packs of it whenever I leave following an adjustment or emergency appointment. I have much more than I will need, but I carry it for emergencies.

I NEVER use it at night and ALWAYS remove it when eating. I also make sure to use lots of chapstick around the time I get my braces adjusted and I push the fluids, which helps reduce the amount of wax I need.

Thanks a lot, you guys!!! I agree that I haven't been paying too much attention on drinking enough water these days when I get busy. And I'm even leaving wax in during meals since the rubbing is so severe that I couldn't eat well. Sometime I just got lazy and drink a bottle of Naked Juice in place of a meal, so that I don't have to take the wax out, and just swish with water. I guess it's not a long term solution and I should try to reduce my wax usage again.

There is a difference between over abusing the wax and using it responsibly. Irritation does happen, it's normal, but it does get better. If you use wax all the time, your mouth will never get used to the braces.

Have you tried using Peroxyl mouthwash to help soothe the sores? This really does help, as it gently cleans the sores out without too much pain. It can be about 2x the price of regular mouthwash, but it one of my lifesavers following an adjustment

Oragel is another tip too. Put it on the sores directly, instead of always using the wax. Your mouth will toughen up this way.

Remember not to wear the wax at night so your mouth is given a chance to adjust too --- this really helped me!

Thanks a lot, purpleteeth and Meryaten!!! These are great tips!!! I actually got a big bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide the other day just in case of gum bleeding and I can try it for the scratching, too! I think not wear wax at night is a great idea, too! I just never realize the night is actually the best time I don't have to talk and let my mouth get use to the brackets. That's probably why I was ok for a while before, but didn't get better at all during the past week (when I used wax all the time).

These days I actually only use wax on my front 6 teeth, with very thin layer (only 1/2 tube for both upper and lower). It worked out really well with the wax (I can sometimes even forget about it's existence), except it's really annoying when brushing, since I can't take it off as a whole piece, so I have to use tooth brush to get it out piece by piece:P

I definitely used a ton of wax in the beginning and I ate tons of it too. Meals were difficult to get through with my cheek catching on brackets and wire ends. A little over a year in and I still use it every so often, usually when we're moving a specific tooth or something new has been added. Wax is there to be used as comfort, I don't think there is such a thing as a abusing it. Your mouth will get used to the hardware with or without wax, but why endure the sores and pain? If you need it, use it.

I felt like nighttime was the best time to keep those brackets covered. During the night, it would give my mouth to regenerate its cells without me talking and chewing around. In the morning, my mouth would feel wonderful, after breakfast was a whole other story.

I became tired of using/eating so much wax and I ordered one of those reusable lip protectors which clipped onto my archwire. I would use the wax during the day and once I was off work, I would slip on my covers.

I actually tried the lip protector, the problem is that it is kind of bulky, even I've trimmed it to only covering the front 6 teeth. So far thin layers of wax seem to work the best. And I also have eaten tons of it. Good thing is that when it goes with food, I don't notice it;)

I, like Meryaten, think that people should use wax as much as necessary. Why suffer, that's just silly. I used wax in different spots sporadically quite a lot and it really helped. Your mouth will tell you when you don't need the wax. It is a hassle taking wax out to eat or sometimes swallowing it if you forget but it's a lot better than getting sore and I know it's probably just down to luck but I've never had a mouth ulcer (canker) but I also always keep well hydrated.

I would say that you should use wax if you think you need it. I definitely found it a great help.

I used wax like crazy for about the first two weeks, then after that i didn't need it hardly at all. the last month I've noticed that my lower lip sometimes gets pushed against the wire between my lower left central and lateral, so sometimes i have to use wax there. But other than that I've been very fortunate. I had buttons put on a week ago and put wax on those for a day but that was all. Next adjustment (8/14) the brackets will be put on my second molars. The ones on top stick outward alot so I'm thinking I'll need it alot then. I'll be the wax queen!!