I'm sure this is bad...

[BrAcEfAcE4547]

Right now I am going through a lot of irritation of my cheeks from my brackets. As a result I am using lots of "wax". It is kind of a pain to put it on what with having to dry the bracket, tooth, etc. As a result I tend to keep it on for as long as it will stay. Sometimes it lasts through eating and brushing. I have the feeling that there is probably a lot of junk being trapped and left under there... I am guessing that I should take it out and replace it more often huh?

[Roboto]

I do the same thing. I try to eat less messy foods so that I don't have to worry so much about things getting stuck and having to brush as much, but I totally leave the wax in even if I do. (I end up eating it half the time anyway)... just swish with water when you're done. It's such a hassle to try and get the wax positioned just right! I'm sure it's bad to do but it usually isn't a permanent thing so I figure a couple days can't hurt my teeth too badly (famous last words?)

[klobird]

Wow---I guess I'm not as tolerant as you guys!! I didn't need wax for a long time, then recently had to start using it again. I take it out when I eat or brush, but since it's been so long, I am forgetting constantly that it's there. So, I keep swallowing it....I think it's disgusting when I swallow it....

But, taking it out or swallowing it--you're still going to have to replace the wax....

What's really bad is forgetting about the elastics. When I try to brush and forget they are there, my toothbrush gets all tangled in them. And when I eat and forget they are there, I either swallow them (major ) or they get lost in my mouth and I have to fish them out......

[Roboto]

haha klobird, I do the same thing with elastics.

[Cassandra]

There is a braces guard type thing, like a gel strip you put over the braces. I think it's available from the dentakit site? Seems like that might help you.

[BrAcEfAcE4547]

Has anybody used any of the mouth guard products? I posted about the strips a while back and about the plastic guard that fits over the archwire but hadn't heard back about whether the strips stayed on... anyone have any feedback on either?