Is Chewing Gum Is Good or Not During Orthodontic Treatment

Against the most radical opinions, chewing gum during orthodontic treatment is not as bad as we thought. You might be saying, “wait a minute” Are you telling me that I can chew gum with braces?

Not precisely; rather, we encourage you to read this article and form an opinion as we guide you through it. In the end, you will find interesting facts and our resourceful comments on the goods and not that goods of chewing gum during ortho.

But first, as an introductory fact, some patients ask about chewing gum or their eating habits, especially snacking. How do they relate? As you will see later, chewing gum or snacking gum, if you wish, might be beneficial for your oral health.

After every meal, any meal, including a single chip, your mouth immediately changes its Ph. to an acidic level for about twenty minutes. So, during this time, your teeth are prone to bacteria attacks.

So, if you are a regular snacker, you might create the perfect environment for bacteria proliferation and developing tooth decay and cavities. If your mouth is in a constant acidic phase that erodes tooth enamel, bacteria have more chance to feast and damage your teeth.

Paradoxically, chewing gum can help you clean your mouth and be a good ally in some circumstances during your orthodontic treatment. So, We invite you to keep reading this interesting article.

Can You Eat Gum With Braces?

Yes, you can chew gum with braces. Also, we know you’ve heard chewing gum might detach brackets from your teeth, make your wires derail, or shift their programmed shape. So, how can we encourage patients to chew gum with braces?

First, advancements in materials for traditional braces make them sturdy and less prone to breaking. Yet, this does not mean you have free access to eat hard, crunchy, and hard-to-bite foods, and still, chewing gum can subtly bend your wires.

We intend to say you shouldn’t have an inconvenience breaking your appliances with gum. Chewing gum is sticky and adheres to teeth walls, braces, and wires. Concerns arise because some chewing gum includes sugar and might be hard to remove during oral hygiene. When gum sugars stick to your appliances, sugary residues accumulate, promoting bacteria accumulation.

But What if We Tell You Sugar-free Chewing Gum Is Good for Your Oral Health?

The American Dental Association recommends chewing sugar-free and ADA-approved chewing gum. Chewing gum fosters saliva production, a cleaning agent that helps prevent bacteria accumulation.

Also, a comprehensive study of sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol showed that it helps reduce bacteria loads and cariogenesis. Countering professionals against chewing gum during orthodontic treatment with braces, sugar-free gum helps remove debris and food particles you might not be able to eliminate by brushing or flossing.

So, can you chew gum with braces? Yes, but don’t do it a habit. Chewing gum might not produce an emergency, but an undesired strain over a wire might subtly bend it, changing the planned movement of teeth.

You can opt to chew some ADA-approved gum after a meal in cases in which you can’t brush and floss to activate your saliva production and wash food particles away. Once you start chewing, try to be as careful as possible to avoid exerting force on wires.

What Kind of Gum Is Good for Teeth?

ADA-approved chewing gum only. There are thousands of different brands and kinds of chewing gum for any person to try. Notwithstanding, few institutions have a legitimate voice to define the characteristics of good oral health.

The American Dentist Association has a reputation around the globe for its contribution to educating U.S. Americans, organizations, and citizens from other countries, contributing valid information about the best dental practices.

So, is gum good for your teeth? Yes, but not all of it. Before you buy chewing gum, check if it has an ADA-Approved seal printed on its package.

Can You Chew Gum With Invisalign?

Yes, you can chew gum with Invisalign. You just need to make sure you detach your appliances before chewing gum. However, make sure you don’t spend a long time chewing gum.

One of the most critical recommendations for clear aligners users is “compliance.” You must wear your appliances for approximately twenty-two hours daily to get the planned results.

Also, you must never try to chew gum with your appliances on. Chewing with your devices exerts an inappropriate force on the trays, deforming their modeled shape and making them useless. 

What if Gum sticks to my Brackets?

One of the reasons why we can’t encourage chewing gum regularly is that some patients tend to spend a lot of time chewing gum. Eventually, gum loses its properties and becomes very sticky, leaving residues spreading throughout the appliances.

Of course, we refer to ADA-Approved chewing gum only. So, back to our discussion, try brushing the identified area softly if you get gum trapped between your teeth and wires or residues in your brackets or rubber bands.

If you find sticky residues in your teeth and between your teeth and wires, use an interdental flosser or a water irrigator. Finally, if none of those above resources work, hold on and wait until you can set an appointment with your Kaneohe orthodontic specialist.

At Last, Should I Chew Gum? What Is My Kaneohe Orthodontist Recommendation?

You can rely on your Kaneohe specialist for this. You can chew gum while on braces, but don’t make it a habit. Get a piece of gum after a meal if you can’t get to your toothbrush, and discard it if it starts feeling lumpy and sticky. Chewing gum does not replace proper oral hygiene (brushing and flossing).

You can contact Hawaiian Smiles Orthodontics if you have doubts or questions about chewing gum. We are also Kaneohe emergency teeth orthodontists. Schedule an appointment if you have or plan to start orthodontic treatment. Our caring and devoted staff will ensure you get a healthy, beautiful smile.