Can You Brush Your Teeth with Wax on Your Braces?

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It’s no secret that if you’re wearing braces, brushing your teeth can be anything but easy. Your ability to brush your teeth properly is significantly hindered as the brackets and wires get in the way and make it much more difficult to clean them correctly. However, can you brush your teeth with wax on your braces?

The general answer is yes – you can brush your teeth with wax on your braces. Braces wax serves two purposes: one, it covers any sharp edges or pointy parts of the metal that may be digging into or irritating the inner lining of your mouth or cheek; and two, it serves as a buffer between hard surfaces which means it slightly softens hard spots that could cause further irritation. Although putting wax on braces can help to protect the skin and keep discomfort to a minimum, it behaves similarly to toothpaste when brushing - meaning that it shouldn't prevent you from cleaning between all of your teeth correctly.

Therefore, whilst brushing with wax on your braces shouldn't really affect your gums, tongue and inner surface areas of your mouth in terms of cleaning effectiveness, it's important to bear in mind that the purpose of braces isn't simply just aesthetics but doing so will help maintain good oral hygiene over time. If the wax makes flossing more difficult then you should consider using alternative interdental products such as dental picks and prethreaded flossers instead.

In conclusion, whilst putting braces wax on before brushing will soften any sharp edges and ease any potential irritation caused by them, it is still important to brush thoroughly when wearing braces. Otherwise you may be at risk of developing cavities between teeth as well as gum disease or an infection which can all lead to long-term oral complications. So make sure you both brush diligently and supplement this with effective interdental products for a long-term healthy smile!

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Is it safe to floss with wax on your braces?

Flossing is an essential part of oral health when it comes to cleaning between teeth and reducing plaque buildup. With orthodontic braces, however, flossing can become more complicated due to the increased difficulty of maneuvering dental floss when there are brackets and wires in the way. In cases like this, many people question whether using waxed or unwaxed dental floss is safest for braces.

The answer lies in which type of floss you choose, as there are advantages and disadvantages with both options. Unwaxed dental floss may be more difficult to insert between tight spaces due to its thinness – this requires extra care, so it’s best avoided if you’re not confident with your manual dexterity skills. Waxed dental floss on the other hand can slip into tight spots more easily but can also cause problems with brackets and wires, which is something worth considering before draping it around your braces.

Overall, it’s best to opt for a specialist interdental brush or an orthodontic floss threader when it comes to getting in between teeth and underneath braces as these have been designed especially for getting around brackets and wires without causing damage or discomfort. Ultimately, if you do decide to opt for a waxed dental floss then make sure that you're precise but gentle when you’re cleaning so as not to catch any of the fixtures on your teeth!

Consider reading: Orthodontic Consultations

What type of toothbrush should I use with braces and wax?

Having braces with wax can make brushing your teeth and gums a tricky challenge. You need to select a toothbrush that can do a thorough job of cleaning your mouth without damaging delicate gums and the sensitive wire and brackets of your braces. To minimise any discomfort, it is best to opt for an electric toothbrush or, at the very least, a soft-bristled manual brush.

When selecting an electric toothbrush, look for one featuring special ‘orthodontic’ settings. These will adjust the speed and strength of the brush head based on where it is placed in your mouth, enabling greater cleaning control. Additionally, ensure that the brush has an angled head so it can easily fit around brackets and wires to ensure a deep cleanse.

For manual brushes, opt for those with a curved head and soft bristles. Check if they are specifically designed for those with orthodontic treatments as they tend to have angled bristles which enable more targeted cleaning. If you opt for a manual brush, use short back-and-forth strokes while paying particular attention to building up any plaque build-up underneath wires or around brackets.

Ultimately you should always discuss brushing options with your orthodontist to determine which type of toothbrush will work best for you in terms of comfort and effectiveness when cleaning braces or waxed teeth.

Explore further: Orthodontic Treatment

Is it necessary to use wax to help protect my braces?

A common concern among people with braces is whether wax is necessary to help protect them. While the evidence for and against wax for braces protection is varied, here are a few things to consider when it comes to protecting your braces.

The first factor to consider is your orthodontist’s recommendation: do they think you should be using wax? Generally, orthodontists will tell their patients when it’s necessary to use wax, and they will also inform them of how much wax they need, when they need to reapply it and why. If your orthodontist feels that waxing will help prevent irritation of the gums and cheeks due to the brackets or wires rubbing against the mouth then he or she will likely recommend using it.

Additionally, consider what kind of discomfort you’re experiencing. Wax is an important tool for protecting your mouth from irritation caused by irregularly-shaped brackets and wires as well as any cuts that might occur if they don’t fit correctly. Some pain can be expected when you have braces because the teeth are being gently realigned so it’s important to pay attention to your mouth and discuss any pain with your orthodontist if it persists.If you feel slight discomfort then what you put on those areas around your bracket has the potential greatly impact how much pain you feel there. For example, if you notice redness or sores around an area on your bracket than putting a small piece of wax over that area may relieve some of that pain from occurring as often as irrigations typically do not help with this type of damage.

Ultimately, whether wax for brace protection is necessary depends on the individual patient’s needs and comfort. It’s important to consider what kind of protection your orthodontist recommends as well as any discomfort present before deciding if a product like wax could be beneficial in protecting your braces while they work hard at perfecting your smile!

What kind of dental products can I use on braces with wax?

Braces with wax can be intimidating, especially when it comes to choosing oral care products that are safe and effective. Wax is a protective barrier meant to keep brackets in place while also providing relief against irritation. Using the wrong product on braces with wax can damage or weaken the adhesive, reducing the effectiveness of your treatment.

To ensure your teeth and braces stay healthy and strong, start by using a fluoride toothpaste twice each day. This type of toothpaste can strengthen enamel while also limiting plaque buildup that causes cavities and staining. An antibacterial mouthwash is also recommended to further reduce plaque buildup, reduce bad breath, reduce inflammation of the gums as well as reduce bacteria in your mouth, all of which are beneficial for braces with wax. Additionally, it's important to floss twice daily to maintain good oral hygiene under the brackets and bands. To do this easily and comfortably, consider investing in a floss threader that can help you reach the tricky areas under your braces.

When brushing around braces with wax, use a soft-bristled brush so you can clean around your brackets without damaging them. Angle your brush at 45 degrees towards the gumline to gently remove any food particles or plaque along each tooth surface as well as directly underneath archwires or bands. Lastly, making regular visits to an orthodontist is an essential aspect of ongoing oral health when wearing braces with wax; these visits will allow them to check for plaque build-up or other issues in hard-to-reach areas with your braces on, helping keep both you and your smile healthy throughout the process.

For another approach, see: What Are Brackets for Braces?

Can mouthwash be used while wearing braces and wax?

Mouthwash is one of the more important parts of a healthy oral care routine. While braces and wax can make it hard to brush in all the right places and floss effectively, one may wonder if mouthwash can still be a part of their overall dental hygiene regimen while they are wearing braces. The answer is an emphatic yes!

In general, mouthwash is safe to use while you have braces, as long as it’s alcohol-free. Mouthwashes with alcohol can cause discomfort for those with braces because your gums have already been irritated due to the presence of the hardware. Additionally, you don’t want to damage any wax that’s been put in place. So it’s important to look for an alcohol free option.

When using a mouthwash with braces, pay special attention to the areas around your gums and hardware for extra protection. The areas around your brackets and behind them are particularly prone to plaque buildup since they are often difficult to brush correctly or floss effectively. So swishing with a mouthwash can help flush out any remaining food particles or bacteria that normal brushing might miss. This will help reduce bad breath and also keep plaque from forming on your teeth and braces as well.

Overall, using an alcohol-free mouthwash while wearing braces and wax is safe and recommended for optimal oral health maintenance. It's a great way to get rid of any bacteria that brushing and flossing misses, plus it will help keep your teeth clean and sparkling!

Is there a special type of toothpaste that should be used with braces and wax?

Braces and wax have been used for years to help straighten teeth, but there is more to brushing and flossing your teeth while wearing braces than just the standard paste in your toothbrush. Special types of toothpaste are now available that were created specifically for those with braces and wax, to ensure maximum protection for their teeth and gums.

For starters, many toothpastes are too abrasive for braces wearers, as active ingredients like sodium fluoride can break down glues adhesives that hold the brackets together, or can change their shape. Water-soluble sodium fluoride is generally considered the best active ingredient when it comes to cleaning teeth and braces without causing damage.

The American Academy of Orthodontics recommends opting for toothpastes with a lower RDA rating. This stands for Relative Dentin Abrasivity rating and helps determine how much a certain paste will erode the enamel on your teeth over time; any toothpaste with an RDA rating of 250 or lower (many pediatric dentists also refer to this number as "low abrasion") should be ideal for braces wearers who want to keep healthy gums and teeth free from cavities.

Brushing with a special type of toothpaste formulated specifically for braces wearers is one of the best ways to keep your pearly whites in great condition while wearing braces or wax - after all, proper oral hygiene is still absolutely essential when you're practicing orthodontic care at home!

If this caught your attention, see: Hate Brushing

Edith Carli

Senior Writer

Edith Carli is a passionate and knowledgeable article author with over 10 years of experience. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley and her work has been featured in reputable publications such as The Huffington Post and Slate. Her focus areas include education, technology, food culture, travel, and lifestyle with an emphasis on how to get the most out of modern life.

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