Dental Wax Facts

McClellan Orthodontics

You have braces! Congratulations…you are now on your way to a healthy beautiful smile. When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! Discomfort and soreness is normal especially after receiving orthodontic treatment of any kind. Overall you may feel uncomfortable the first few days with braces. That is where dental wax comes in.

What is Dental Wax? Dental wax is a soft, harmless gum protector for children and adults with braces that can be used in a pinch to cover brackets and protruding wires with a smooth surface. Dental wax is important for discomfort relief when a bracket breaks or a wire breaks and pokes out. Dental wax is used as a temporary relief.

Is it Safe? Dental wax is made from natural waxes and is perfectly safe. Some dental wax products are made from beeswax or carnauba wax, while others are made from paraffin. If you accidentally swallow a little bit of wax, maybe while speaking, applying the wax or eating food, don’t worry, it is safe.

How Does it Work? The special properties of dental wax make it perfect for protecting your gums from the metal edges of braces. The wax is solid at room temperature, but can be softened and shaped by the warmth of your hands. Smoothed onto braces, it sticks to them and creates a buffer between the brackets and the gums. Dental wax remains smooth while in the mouth, and harmlessly flakes away or peels off as it breaks down.

How to Put Wax on Your Braces:

Step 1: Be sure you have dental wax, you can ask us for recommendations on which we feel is best.

Step 2: Wash your hands.

Step 3: Brush your teeth, where you want to apply the dental wax

Step 4: Pinch off a piece of wax about the size of a small pea

Step 5: Squeeze until it softens and roll it into a ball, then flatten the ball slightly

Step 6: Gently push the wax onto the problem area of the braces

Dental wax is available to help you ease the discomfort while wearing braces. While dental wax is on your braces, you can do normal things, such as eating and drinking water. Follow your ordinary healthy routines when it comes to your teeth, brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and using a mouthwash, to keep your teeth healthy and prevent tooth decay while wearing braces.

At McClellan Orthodontics, we provide all the information and recommendations necessary to patients for making the best decisions. Our staff is always available to answer questions and help you understand every aspect of your orthodontic treatment. If you are unsure about anything, let us know at your next appointment or give us a call with a question, one of our staff members will give you the tools and knowledge to help you understand everything during your treatment.

 

Eating With Orthodontic Appliances

McClellan Orthodontics

There are certain dietary habits that are known to cause orthodontic appliances to break, as well as increase the risk of dental disease. Teeth move best in a healthy environment and in individuals with excellent overall health, so be sure you have a well-balanced diet.

If you have orthodontic appliance, you must use caution when selecting foods to eat. Remember, Dr. McClellan aims to achieve your treatment goals with as few disturbances as possible. And damage to your orthodontic appliances due to poor diet choices may extend your overall treatment time. It’s up to you to ensure that you are eating healthy foods to keep your orthodontic appliances in proper condition and to improve your overall health. 

Orthodontic appliances, like braces, are attached to your teeth with an adhesive that will typically withstand the forces of eating. However, appliances can be dislodged, and wires can be bent or broken while eating certain foods.  

Foods and drinks that may cause cavities should be restricted while wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances. Sticky foods should also be avoided because of the increased risk of dental decay and appliance breakage. Between-meal snacks should be confined to foods without refined sugar and followed by brushing or vigorous rinsing.

It’s best not to eat hard foods, sticky foods, and foods high in sugar. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods as they can cause tooth decay and other related problems. You should also refrain from nail-biting and chewing on foreign objects such as pens. Below is a list of foods that may be appealing but are dangerous to eat during orthodontic treatment:

• Ice 
• Sticky food or candy of any kind
• Hard food or candy of any kind
• Foods high in sugar content 
• Foods that require biting into

While you will have to avoid certain foods if you have orthodontic appliances, there are still plenty of healthy and delicious food options available to you. Some of the best foods to eat if you have orthodontic appliances are:

• Yogurt 
• Bananas, grapes, oranges, strawberries, and other fruits without pits 
• Light crackers or cookies 
• Cheese 
• Mashed potatoes 
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• Ravioli, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, and other noodle dishes

If you are unsure about dietary restrictions or healthy food options, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at McClellan Orthodontics. We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Remember, it is essential to regularly check your orthodontic appliances for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange for a repair appointment.

 

5 Helpful Tips for New Orthodontic Patients

McClellan Orthodontics

The braces are on, and you are now on your journey to a straighter smile! As a new patient at McClellan Orthodontics, we know that you may not be excited about wearing your braces, but we also know that when all is said and done, you will be thrilled with the results of your new smile.

Adjusting to something new can be a little confusing and overwhelming. Fortunately, braces are pretty low maintenance, but there are a few things you can do to make your orthodontic experience more effective and comfortable.

1. Know What to Expect - When you first get braces, it’s perfectly normal for your teeth and mouth to be sore and/or tender. Your lips, cheeks, and gums may also be irritated for up to two weeks while they get used to the braces. Try a saltwater rinse or over-the-counter pain reliever to help reduce the amount of pain or discomfort you feel.

2. Give Yourself Some Time - Your braces may not be what you expected or wanted, but after some time, your teeth will start shifting and you will notice how incredible your teeth and smile alignment look. Pain may occur after your appointments, just give it a few days after each adjustment and you should feel more comfortable.

3. Avoid Bad Habits - When you have braces, you’ll have to choose between breaking your bad habits or breaking your braces. Biting your fingernails, chewing on pen caps or ice cubes, or not following proper oral hygiene instructions all pose threats to your brackets and wires. Continuing these habits can lead to costly orthodontic emergency appointments and may delay your overall treatment time.

4. Brush and Floss Often - Orthodontic patients should brush after every meal to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Be sure to brush for at least two minutes and to reach the front, back, and top of each tooth. We also recommend that you floss every evening before bed so that food particles and germs don’t attack your teeth and gums. We want your teeth to be just as healthy after braces as they were before!

5. Be Confident - Don't worry about how your braces look and don't be afraid or embarrassed to smile with your braces. Depending on the type of braces you are treated with, people may not even know you are wearing braces. Be proud and flash those pearly whites often!

Lastly, be sure you know what to do if you are experiencing pain or problems with your braces. Before you leave checkups, feel for any poking wires so you can have us correct the agitation and avoid pain. If a problem arises after your appointment, do not be afraid to call us; chances are it's a simple fix. For more information about adjusting to your braces, visit our website or give McClellan Orthodontics a call.

 

Is Pain in Your Jaw Giving You a Headache?

McClellan Orthodontics

As a Certified Specialist in Orthodontics, Dr. Mart McClellan doesn’t just make straight teeth, he also deals with the bite as a whole…including the jaw. If you touch your face right in front of your ears while opening and closing your jaw, you’ll feel your temporomandibular joints at work.

The temporomandibular joints are the 2 joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. More specifically, they are the joints that slide and rotate in front of each ear. The TMJs are among the most complex joints in the body. These joints, along with a few muscles, allow the mandible to move up and down, side to side, and forward and back. When the mandible and the joints are properly aligned, actions such as chewing, talking, yawning, and swallowing, can take place smoothly and without issue. However, when these structures are not aligned several problems may occur.

While people often refer to problems with the temporomandibular joints as TMJ, that’s the name for the joints themselves and TMJ pain is a TMJ disorder and part of a larger category of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). TMD involves the temporomandibular joint or its associated structures, such as the discs, muscles, cartilage, and ligaments.

In many cases, the actual cause of TMD may not be clear. Sometimes the main cause is excessive strain on the jaw joints and the muscle group that controls chewing, swallowing, and speech. This strain may be a result of habitual, involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth. But trauma to the jaw, the head, or the neck may cause TMD.

The most common TMD symptoms include:

• Jaw discomfort or soreness 
• Headaches 
• Clicking or popping of the jaw 
• Locking of the jaw 
• Limited mouth motions 
• Clenching or grinding of the teeth

Left untreated, TMD can lead to inflammation, swelling, or chronic pain. It can also contribute to progressive dental problems, such as premature tooth wear and periodontal disease.

If you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms associated with TMD, give our office a call to receive a proper diagnosis and the appropriate treatment from experienced orthodontist like Dr. McClellan.

Handling Orthodontic Issues at Home

McClellan Orthodontics

Even though you are careful, you may occasionally damage your braces or orthodontic appliance. While there are steps you can take to temporarily fix or alleviate discomfort and prevent additional damage, you should always notify our office if you have any issues or concerns. 

At McClellan Orthodontics, we want our patients to be informed of problems that may occur, and understand how to solve them until it is possible to return to our office. With the supplies listed below, you will be prepared to handle the most common orthodontic issues at home.

• Orthodontic wax
• Dental floss 
• Tweezers
• Q-tips 
• Salt
• Non-prescription pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) 
• Topical Anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel)

Below are some typical orthodontic issues and how you can solve them:

Discomfort - It’s normal to have some initial discomfort during orthodontic treatment as your teeth move. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water and over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may alleviate this discomfort.  If the discomfort lasts longer than a couple days, be sure to call our office.

Mouth Sores - Some patients are susceptible to episodes of mouth sores. While braces do not cause these sores, they may be exacerbated by an irritation from your braces. Mouth sores are not an emergency, but they can be very uncomfortable. Prompt relief may be achieved by applying a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the ulcerated surface using a cotton swab. 

Irritation - Sometimes braces or wires can be irritating to your mouth, especially when eating. A small amount of orthodontic wax makes an excellent buffer between the metal bracket and your mouth. Simply pinch off a small piece of wax and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the bracket causing irritation. 

Protruding Wire - Occasionally the end of a wire will work itself out of place and can irritate your mouth. Use a Q-tip or clean tweezer and try to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with wax.

There will be normal, day-to-day discomfort associated with wearing braces, if you have any questions about your orthodontic treatment, or if you think you may have a true orthodontic emergency, don’t hesitate to call our Kenilworth orthodonticoffice…We can help!