Can you wear wax on braces while sleeping

So you started orthodontic treatment earlier today — congratulations! You’re one step closer to a beautiful smile. You chose your favorite type of braces, and you’re digging your new smile already.

Now you’re ready to lie down and catch some Z’s, but you’re wondering, “how do I sleep with braces? Do I have to do anything differently?”

We’ve got the answers for you! Here’s what you need to know about sleeping with braces:

Do you have to sleep differently with braces? Not necessarily; you don’t have to make any drastic changes to your sleeping technique to get a good night’s rest. But it’s true that you’ll likely experience some soreness in your mouth when you first start orthodontic treatment, as your teeth and gums are adjusting to your braces.

Fortunately, these are plenty of ways to minimize the discomfort and alleviate the tenderness when you sleep! Here are 3 top tips for sleeping soundly with braces.

1.Try sleeping on your back.
If you tend to sleep on your side or stomach, try sleeping on your back for a few nights. When you lay on your side and stomach, your cheeks are pressed against the pillow, which can irritate your mouth. By sleeping on your back, the contact between your braces and mouth is minimized, so your cheeks can relax without being pushed against your braces.

2. Use dental wax if needed.
Dental wax, or orthodontic wax, can come in super handy with tender cheeks or gums. Wax can be placed over any brackets or wires that tend to irritate your cheeks. Before you go to bed, simply pull off a few pieces of orthodontic wax, place them over any brackets or wire ends that need attention – or place some wax on all of your brackets – to give your cheeks some relief. While you sleep, the wax will provide a comfortable barrier between your braces and your mouth, so you can sleep soundly and wake up rested.

You don’t have to worry about swallowing any wax while you sleep too. Most brands use non-toxic, natural substances, like carnauba wax, beeswax or paraffin wax. Make sure that the brand you choose uses non-toxic ingredients, so if you dream of a juicy burger and mistake the wax for your next bite, you won’t get sick… you’ll just be a little disappointed.

3. Wear a nightguard or mouthguard if you grind your teeth.
If you’re someone who grinds your teeth at night, it may be best to wear a mouthguard when sleeping with braces. If you bite down hard enough on a bracket or wire, you could wake up feeling pretty sore and uncomfortable in the morning.

It’s best to wear a mouthguard to prevent any clenching or grinding tendencies from contributing to the soreness. If you’re in need of a mouthguard or night guard, let Dr. Jewett know at your next appointment! We’ll recommend a good mouthguard for you, or we may recommend placement of a dental product that can be used to help.

Need more tips?

If you need any more sleeping with braces tips, or you have any specific concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re here to guide you through your treatment process.

If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Johnson City, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.

Don’t Lose Sleep! Top 5 Sleeping with Braces Tips


So you’re new to braces! Or maybe your child is new to braces, and you’re running through a checklist to help them prepare for their first few weeks in treatment:

  • Eating with braces? (Fridge filled with braces-friendly snacks?) Check!
  • Caring for braces? (Orthodontic wax, specialized floss threaders, travel toothbrush & toothpaste in your braces care kit?) Check!
  • Sleeping with braces? Almost… you’ll be able to check that off in about 2 minutes!

We’re here to help you or your child get a good night’s sleep with braces. Here are 5 tips to help you prepare for the first week of sleeping with braces.

How to Sleep with Braces

Tip #1: Keep your teeth and gums clean.

Committing to a thorough oral hygiene routine is more important than ever when you have braces. It’s crucial that you clean your gums, clean between each tooth, and clean the spaces between your teeth and braces before you go to bed. By keeping your teeth and braces clean, you prevent any unhealthy symptoms from developing. 

Symptoms like inflamed gums, tender gums, yellow teeth, toothaches or bad breath due to poor oral hygiene can be pretty uncomfortable and distracting when you’re trying to sleep. Cavities form more at night because saliva flow decreases, so brushing well before going to bed is key. Keeping your teeth and braces clean will serve you in many ways! 

Tip #2: Try sleeping on your back.

If you tend to sleep on your side or stomach, try sleeping on your back for a few nights. When you lay on your side and stomach, your cheeks are pressed against the pillow, which can irritate your mouth. By sleeping on your back, the contact between your braces and mouth is minimized, so your cheeks can relax without being pushed against your braces.

If you continue to sleep on your side, that’s okay! You don’t have to worry about any considerable dangers when it comes to sleep position. You may just wake up with a bracket imprint on the inside of your cheeks and some minor soreness that goes away pretty quickly. 

Tip #3: Use dental wax if needed.

Dental wax, or orthodontic wax, can come in super handy with tender cheeks or gums. Wax can be placed over any brackets or wires that tend to irritate your cheeks. Before you go to bed, simply pull off a few pieces of orthodontic wax, place them over any brackets or wire ends that need attention – or place some wax on all of your brackets – to give your cheeks some relief.

While you sleep, the wax will provide a comfortable barrier between your braces and your mouth, so you can sleep soundly and wake up rested.

You don’t have to worry about swallowing any wax while you sleep too. Most brands use non-toxic, natural substances, like carnauba wax, beeswax or paraffin wax. Make sure that the brand you choose uses non-toxic ingredients, so if you dream of a juicy burger and mistake the wax for your next bite, you won’t get sick… you’ll just be a little disappointed.

Tip #4: Use Tylenol if you have to!

During your first week with braces, it’s normal to experience some soreness in your gums. If you’ve been eating soft foods and taking it easy on your braces to prevent discomfort, but you’re still feeling some soreness before bed, you can take an over-the-counter acetaminophen medication, like Tylenol, or whatever you normally take for a headache.

 After the first week or so of your treatment, you should feel good enough to sleep without pain medication!

Sleeping with braces isn’t difficult, and many people don’t have to make any adjustments whatsoever! It really depends on your personal experience and whether or not you experience soreness with your braces. 

Tip #5: Wear a nightguard or mouthguard if you grind your teeth. 

If you’re someone who grinds your teeth at night, it’s best to wear a mouthguard to prevent any clenching or grinding tendencies from contributing to the soreness. 

Not sure which mouthguard or night guard is best for your smile? Dr. Caudill or Dr. McNeight can recommend an over-the-counter nightguard, available from online retailers or at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Need more tips?

At your first visit, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to prepare for your orthodontic treatment! We’ll give you the tips and tricks you’re looking for to help you get a good night’s rest every night. 

We provide a number of different types of braces, including clear ceramic braces, traditional metal braces, and Invisalign® for all ages!

If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Merritt Island, Melbourne or Viera, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today. 

Can you sleep with the wax on braces?

While you sleep, the wax will provide a comfortable barrier between your braces and your mouth, so you can sleep soundly and wake up rested. You don't have to worry about swallowing any wax while you sleep too. Most brands use non-toxic, natural substances, like carnauba wax, beeswax or paraffin wax.

How long can you leave wax on braces?

You need to replace the dental wax whenever it starts to come off or twice a day. Never leave the wax on for more than two days in a row as food particles get stuck on the wax which may lead to bacterial buildup. It is advisable to avoid eating or drinking with the wax in your mouth as it may cause the wax to fall off.

Is it okay to put wax on braces everyday?

If you keep the orthodontic wax for more than a day, you run the risk of bacteria and cavities in your mouth. The reason being food particles get stuck on the surface of the wax. In would be best to apply it on well-brushed teeth after having your meal.

Can I drink water with wax on my braces?

Can You Eat and Drink with Dental Wax on Your Braces? You can, but it's preferable not to. Food and beverages can loosen or dislodge the wax. Again, it's perfectly fine if you swallow it, but you might as well peel it off, eat and drink, then brush your teeth and stick on a fresh piece of tooth wax.