I tried wax for a bit but it just kept sliding off—especially with all the extra drool. Salt water rinses worked way better for me, but honestly, I just toughed it out most days. Anyone else have issues with wax sticking?
Wax never really worked for me either, but I think I might’ve had the opposite problem—mine would stick too well and then I’d end up biting into a chunk of it later without realizing. Kind of gross. The drool situation was real though, especially that first week. I found that switching brands made a difference. Some are softer and just melt away, but others actually stayed put even with all the extra saliva. Salt water rinses helped with soreness, but didn’t do much for the actual sharp spots. Guess everyone’s mouth is a little different...
My kid just had jaw surgery a couple months ago, and honestly, I’m still not sure we’ve figured out the best way to handle all the irritation. We went through a few different wax brands too—some were so sticky they’d just clump up, and then she’d accidentally swallow bits of it, which really bothered me. The drooling was a whole thing at our house for a while, especially overnight.
Salt water rinses seemed gentle enough, but like you said, they never really helped with the sharp edges from the brackets. I kept worrying about infection, so we stuck with the rinses anyway, just in case. I’ve wondered if anyone’s tried those silicone covers instead of regular wax? I read somewhere they’re less likely to fall apart, but I’m nervous about introducing something new when her mouth is still healing. Did you notice any difference in healing time depending on what you used, or was it just about comfort? Sometimes I think I’m more anxious about this than she is...
I’ve wondered if anyone’s tried those silicone covers instead of regular wax? I read somewhere they’re less likely to fall apart, but I’m nervous about introducing something new when her mouth is still healing.
We tried the silicone covers after my son’s surgery—honestly, they were way less messy than wax, but they felt bulkier and he wasn’t a fan. Didn’t notice any real change in healing time, though. For us, comfort was the big thing. The drooling, yeah, that stage is... memorable. I stressed more than he did too, so you’re not alone there.
Silicone covers definitely have their pros and cons. I’ve seen a lot of patients find them less messy, but like you said, some folks just can’t get used to the bulk. One thing I’d add—if the tissue is still pretty raw, sometimes the silicone can tug a bit when you remove it, which might be uncomfortable. Wax is softer, but yeah, it falls apart faster. For healing, the big factors are usually keeping things clean (salt water rinses help) and minimizing irritation. It’s really about what feels least annoying during that first week or two.
