Yeah, salt water never did much for me either—just made everything taste weird. I’ve heard of the gum trick but never tried it. Ever mess with orthodontic wax? I know it’s not free, but sometimes they’ll give you a little sample at your adjustment if you ask. Curious if anyone’s tried using a bit of cotton or even a band-aid as a hack... seems kinda messy, but desperate times, right?
I get the desperation—those first few weeks with braces can be brutal. Wax is honestly the only thing I really trust, though. I’ve seen people try cotton or even bits of tissue, but I always worry about fibers getting stuck or, worse, accidentally swallowing something. Anyone ever had issues with the wax not sticking, especially after eating? That always stressed me out.
Yeah, wax is definitely the go-to for most people, but it can be a pain when it just won’t stay put after a snack or meal. I usually tell folks to dry the bracket or wire with a tissue before putting the wax on—it sticks way better if the area isn’t wet. I’ve seen some people try using silicone-based ortho wax, which holds up a bit longer, but honestly, regular wax does the trick if you prep the spot first. Cotton and tissue just seem like a recipe for a mess, honestly. Those first weeks are rough, but it gets easier once your cheeks toughen up a bit.
Drying the bracket with a tissue totally helps—learned that one after half my wax kept sliding off mid-bite. I tried the silicone stuff, but honestly, for the price, it wasn’t that much better for me. I even attempted the cotton trick once and ended up with a mouthful of fuzz... 10/10 do not recommend. Those first weeks really are brutal, but my cheeks finally stopped feeling like I was chewing on sandpaper. Hang in there—it gets less wallet-draining and less painful after a bit.
I tried the silicone stuff, but honestly, for the price, it wasn’t that much better for me.
Interesting—I've actually seen better results with silicone wax for some patients, especially if regular wax just won't stay put. Might be a fit issue, or maybe just personal preference. The cotton trick... yeah, that's a tough one. I've had people come in with cotton stuck everywhere. If you're still getting irritation, there are some prescription rinses that can speed up healing, though not everyone needs them. It does get easier after a few weeks, thankfully.
