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1.) I have been using a huge amount of Wax on the 4 wires that point out in the back of mouth. Am I supposed to be letting it get toughened up?
I notice on here some people seem to get sore other places but so far, that seems to be the worst part for me.
2.) I have been buying Butler G.U.M. Orthodontic Waz at Walgreens for $2.50 and I am using one package every other day. That can't be normal.
It's going to cost me more in Wax than the braces cost!
3.) Why doesn't some smart orthodontist invent some sort of soft cap that goes over these wires in the back that can easily be removed by the technician?
Lastly, I was having a lunch meeting yesterday and I went to the bathroom to check and see if my wax was missing off one of the wires because it was bugging me and when I stuck my finger back there, I cut my finger open and I started bleeding all over the place. I had to wrap tissue around my finger and keep my hand in my pocket for the rest of the meeting. Just thought I'd share.
Ask your ortho to clip those wires!! You should be able to nip in there without an appointment even just to get the wires clipped. I never finished a whole thing of wax in 6 years of braces so I'd definitely say you are using a lot. I usually just ignored sore spots and let my mouth adjust and it always did. Some people are prone to canker sores and that's not really a good idea for them. If its "just" where the wires are poking out the back, tell your ortho to trim them and next time you have an adjustment feel each spot before you leave and make sure they are trimmed then. If your teeth move a lot they can poke you again days to weeks later but don't hesitate to go back.
Hope that helps,
Jenn
Paramedic student
Full Braces (all metal) 5/12/1999 - 4/20/2005
Class II (overjet) on the left only
Upper and Lower Hawleys
Thanks. I never get canker sores and I am only getting them where the wires are sticking out. I will go in and get them clipped more.
Thanks for the reply.
Yeah, that's a little excessive. You should let your mouth adjust. It usually goes away in 3-4 days. the tissue will toughen up.
To save some money, you can ask your ortho for some wax packs. They usually give you a starter one, but you can always ask for more! For the amount of money you pay for braces, you should get them for free!!
Check out my journey :
http://janniesjourney.blogspot.com/
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Braces on: Sept 16. 2005
Braces off: Dec 3, 2007
Upper/Lower Jaw Surgery on: Dec 1, 2006
For the last 2 months, I've got wax in bulk from the ortho when I've gone. When I was first braed, I was given 5 packages of 4 1.5 inch strips each, and went through those pretty fast. Now when I go, I get an entire legal sized envelope full of wax, and it doesn't cost me a cent.
I've found the wax from the ortho is MUCH better than the Butler GUM wax that was sent to me. I think dental wax is a rarity in BC, unless you get it from your ortho. I know there are no stores in my area that stock it, and there are only a handful of stores in the greater Vancouver area that stock it! CRAZY!!
you should ask your ortho to trim them down a little bit more bc i was having the same problem and i told my ortho and he trimmed them down for me. but untill then try getting your wax at walmart bc its only 99cents there. hope i helped.
Well, I used tons of wax too. Then I switched to the silicone ear plugs and love it. They cost less and stay put better. As time went on I got used to the brackets and used less, but still use the silicone in the back at nite. Makes it easier to sleep.
I cut my finger and tongue on the wire the day after I got my braces. I got the wire clipped and things got better.
Good luck.
I reject your reality … and substitute my own.
My mouth is a horror show.... because of my teeth sticking out, my lips and cheeks are closer to my teeth than they should be, so the brackets rub and chafe the insides of my mouth pretty darn good. My cheeks are also fat so there's more meat for the brackets and wires to stick into!
I didn't have too much problem with my upper brace, but one side of my lower brace is proving hellish.
My cheek and insider lower lip are just covered with ulcers and blisters (that pop and become ulcers). I'm putting more and more wax on but I am hoping the skin will eventually "toughen up" so I can wean myself off wax altogether. It's annoying how it comes off when you eat certain things or brush your teeth, and sometimes you nearly swallow it without realising!
thats the kind of wax that i use! I found it on this site, i guess thanks to you amychelle!! I bought a deluxe pack, when i first got my braces, mind you i used a lot of wax in the beginning, but now i dont really use any at all, and i still have seven globs left in the little plastic case!!! I have quite a few cases of butler G.U.M wax too, just to take places, when i dont want to have to lug the whole case with me. THANKS SO MUCH for this great product!
Shelby
I went and had the little wires that were bugging me snipped closer. The ortho student dude told me next time to come right in and get them snipped.
That was about a week ago and I have not had to use any wax since then.
I have now had braces for nearly a month and I actually have started forgetting they are there for most of the time and I can eat anything now.
So there is some hope for those of you who just got braced!
I got the wire clipped and things got better.
