How to Put Wax On Braces
Whether you're protecting your gums from new braces or sticking down a piece of protruding wire, the procedure for applying dental wax is the same:
- Wash your hands
- Brush all of your teeth
- Pinch off a piece of wax about the size of a small pea
- Squeeze until it softens and roll it into a ball, then flatten the ball slightly
- Gently push the wax onto the problem area of the braces. You can also use your tongue to adjust the wax if it’s helpful.
Keep in mind, if your wire continues to protrude or become out of place, contact your orthodontist so that they can adjust it. If you run out of dental wax, you can buy more at a pharmacy. You can use an interdental stick or floss to remove it, but take care not to damage your braces or gums.
As far as how long dental wax should stay in place, you can wear it overnight and replace the wax as needed, though you should replace it every two days. While you can eat and drink with wax, you should remove it if food becomes stuck or the wax gets dirty.