Some of your orthodontic appliances may have parts that are on the surfaces of your teeth toward the tongue. This is called the lingual surface. These parts may irritate the tongue for several days as you get used to your braces. To help the sore spot heal and to let your tongue get used to your braces, place wax on the part of the braces that is causing the sore spot. Please refer to the topic, “Wax” in this Emergencies section of the Library for complete instructions on the use of wax. If the wax does not seem to help or if the sore spot gets worse, please call Dr. Boyd.