What Is Tooth Wax?

Dental wax is a substance most often made from paraffin, beeswax, or carnauba wax. It's solid at room temperature but softens from the warmth of your hands. It sticks to sharp surfaces inside your mouth and creates a smooth surface. Dental wax's primary use is to protect the mouth's sensitive areas such as the gums, lips, and cheeks' lining. It is usually transparent and unnoticeable when used. While the wax is generally flavorless, some varieties have added flavors like mint, cherry, or bubble gum.

If you have braces, dental wax can make a big difference for an at-home solution while you wait to see a dental professional. If the brackets of your braces rub against the inside of your cheeks and cause discomfort, covering the jagged edge with wax can provide relief. Or suppose a bracket of your braces pops off, or a wire comes out of place. First, try pushing the protruding wire against your tooth with a Q-tip or tweezer into a comfortable position, as recommended by The American Association of Orthodontists. But if you still experience discomfort, dental wax is a great short-term solution.

Because of the metal framework that holds the dentures in place, partial dentures can also cause discomfort. In these cases, you can coat the irritating parts of the metal framework with tooth wax. Did you know that dental wax can also provide short-term relief for a damaged tooth? You can even use dental wax for a broken tooth. It covers the sharp edges of a chipped or broken tooth while you wait for your dentist appointment.

Follow these steps to apply the wax:

1. Remember to brush your teeth and wash your hands.
2. Take a small piece of wax (about the size of a pea) and roll it with clean hands into a ball.
3. Soften the wax in your hands and flatten the ball into a disc shape.
4. Place it on the sharp area you want to cover and apply pressure to make it stick.
5. If the wax flakes or peels away, use more as necessary.

It's safe to continue eating and drinking as usual when using dental wax. While not optimal, there is no need to worry if the dental wax falls off and is swallowed, as it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals.

Tooth wax is an excellent fix for many dental irritation cases, but remember that it's a temporary solution. If you have any sharp appliance surfaces inside your mouth, be sure to see a dental professional as soon as possible. Your dentist can recommend an appropriate treatment and lay out the steps for a long-term resolution. Since tooth wax can be valuable for unexpected dental issues, it's a good idea to keep some on hand. Pick up dental wax at your local pharmacy.