I totally get where you’re coming from—once you’ve had a dental scare, it kind of sticks with you. I actually started carrying a little zip pouch with floss, painkillers, and one of those tiny mirror things after I chipped a tooth on popcorn at a movie. Not glamorous, but it’s saved me from freaking out more than once. Curious if anyone’s ever actually used dental wax in public? I’ve always wondered if it really helps in a pinch or just makes things feel weirder.
Dental wax is actually a lifesaver for me, but I get what you mean—it can feel a bit odd at first. I used it once when a filling chipped during lunch at work. Not the most comfortable thing, but it stopped the sharp edge from cutting my cheek until I could see my dentist. I buy those cheap little packs from the drugstore and just toss one in my bag. For the price, it’s worth it for peace of mind, even if it feels a little weird for an hour or two.
I get why people like dental wax, but honestly, it never really worked for me. The texture just bugged me, and I felt like it kept coming off too soon. One time I tried using a tiny bit of sugarless gum to cover a sharp spot until I got home—probably not dentist-approved, but it did the trick for a couple hours. Anyone else find wax more hassle than help?
I’m with you—dental wax never really stayed put for me either, and I always felt like I was just wasting it. The price isn’t terrible, but if it’s not actually helping, what’s the point? I’ve used sugarless gum in a pinch too. It’s not perfect, but it’s way cheaper and honestly lasted longer for me than the wax ever did. My orthodontist side-eyed me for it, but sometimes you just gotta improvise.
If you’re looking to save a bit and still avoid irritation, I’ve also tried those silicone earplug bits (the cheap kind from the drugstore) when I ran out of wax—they worked surprisingly well in a bind. Not sure dentists would love that hack either, but hey, when your cheek’s getting shredded and you don’t want to buy another pack of wax... you do what you gotta do.
I totally get the urge to improvise when you’re desperate—believe me, I’ve seen folks get creative. But I’ll admit, the earplug trick makes me a bit nervous. Some of those materials aren’t really meant for long-term contact in your mouth, and I’ve seen a few cases where bits actually got stuck or caused irritation. I get that wax can be frustrating (it’s finicky stuff), but if it’s not working, sometimes switching brands or warming it up a bit helps it stay put better. Not perfect, but at least you know what you’re dealing with.
