One of the wires on my braces is really irritating my cheek, but I ran out of wa!
Question:
One of the wires on my braces is really irritating my cheek, but I ran out of wax. What can I use instead?
I also have powerchains on, so you can just imagine all the pain I'm in. Is there anything I can use as an alternative to wax until I can get to my orthodontist for more?
Answers:
Health Tip: When Braces Cause Discomfort
By Diana Kohnle
(HealthDay News) Here's what a person with braces can do to stay more comfortable, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists.
If teeth are sore and eating is difficult, try rinsing the mouth with warm salt water, eating only soft foods, and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
If a mouth sore develops, try covering a portion of the appliance with orthodontic wax. You can also apply a topical anesthetic to the sore area, the association says.
Watch out about chewing gum: Gum is usually not recommended. The gum can get caught on the braces and pull the braces off. Also the sugar in the gum can get trapped behind the braces and cause cavities.
Talk to your orthodontist if you want to be able to chew gum. In some cases, it may be possible for you to chew a sugar free, non stick gum such as Freedent ® or Wrigley's Extra®. A study in the American Journal Of Orthodontics 107(1995)497 indicates that the xylitol in the Freedent® or Wrigley's Extra® prevents cavities, and the gum does not stick to some styles of braces.
Freedent® and Wrigley's Extra® will still damage some kinds of braces so you need to TALK TO YOUR ORTHODONTIST BEFORE CHEWING GUM.