What else can you use instead of orthodontic wax to protect your mouth?

Brace wax: Sugar free chewing gum sticks on better but it cannot have sugar. Also ask your orthodontist about gishy goo. That stuff is amazing and my patients love it. If your orthodontist doesn't offer it, you can buy it online but it cost more.

Ortho wax substitute: A short-term fix for covering sharp orthodontic brackets when no ortho-wax is available is a small wad of sugar free gum. This will cover the sharp metal until wax can be obtained.

Silicone Earplugs: Silicone earplugs that are use for swimming - break off a very small piece of the new clean earplug, of course. However, the area usually has to be totally dry for the silicone to stick well. If you're really in a total bind, a small piece of sugar-free chewing gum might do the trick, if you can get it to stick over the metal stub.

Wax to protect mouth: That depends - if one plays sports, usually there is a mouthguard that could be used to mold around the braces. There are also two kinds of orthodontic wax, a regular wax and silicone based wax. Silicone based wax is the better of the two as it adheres better in a wet environment.

Other options: There are other lip and cheek protective materials that can be placed over braces. It's best to ask your orthodontic specialist about those options including opal's gishy-goo.

Cheese: The wax that cheese balls are covered in works perfectly as orthodontic wax.

Silicone: Silicone sold for orthodontics is better than wax, but more expensive. Sugarless gum will work in a pinch as will a piece of cotton.

Time: Wax is easily dislodged, other materials can be used, but the best way is "tough it out", the mouth will quickly accommodate or callous to minor irritations.

Rinse: Rinse w 1 tsp salt in 8 oz of warm water 3x/day. Swish, spit out, 'till glass is empty. Dab orabase-b onto sore spots w q-tip. Dr. Schliemer's right, it wil lself-correct in a few days.