Can You Eat Gum with Braces?: A Guide to Safe Chewing
When you finally get your braces, one of the first things on your mind is probably chewing gum. After all, gum is a popular, convenient, and tasty habit for many people. However, with braces, concerns about gum’s impact on the orthodontic treatment pop up. So, is it safe to eat gum with braces? Let’s dive into the answer and discover the do’s and don’ts of gum with braces.
Direct Answer to the Question: Can You Eat Gum with Braces?
No! Unfortunately, it is not recommended to eat gum with braces. Stick to sugar-free gum alternative to avoid any inconvenience and ensure your orthodontic treatment runs smoothly. Here’s why:
- **Gum stickiness**: Gum can accumulate on your brackets and elastics, making it tricky to clean and potentially leaving sticky residue that can promote bacterial growth and tooth decay.
- **Damage to brackets and wires**: While gum is sticky, biting or chewing it can still cause damage to your bracket or wire, which requires costly repairs or even prolonged treatment.
Why not to eat gum with Braces: The Risks
Before we dive deeper into the alternatives, here are some additional reasons not to eat gum with braces:
- **Food wedging**: Gum can fall between your teeth and braces, creating a perfect snack for bacteria to grow.
- **Tartar buildup**: Sticky gum debris can contribute to tartar buildup, which can result in plaque, cavities, and gum disease, all of which can create complications during your orthodontic treatment.
- **Additional cleaning challenges**: Gum sticks can be difficult to dislodge from your smile, requiring additional cleaning solutions and potentially leading to uneven cleaning and further complications
Alternatives to Standard Gum: Sugar-Free Option
Don’t worry if you’re craving something to floss with; there’s a solution! Sugar-free gum is a clever alternative to regular gum and can still help you with oral hydration and cleaning between teeth with your orthodontic retainer or other oral inserts. Some popular sugar-free gum options include:
Recommended Sugar-Free Gum Options
| Brand | Formula | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Orkin | Peppermint | Stimulates saliva production, freshening breath, and cleaning abilities |
| Kleenex | Speaker’s Mint | Anti-inflammatory properties, soothing & refreshing breath |
Additional Best Practices for Oral Hydration and Cleaning
To effectively clean your teeth and minimize the risk of complications related to gum use, heed these additional best practices for oral hydration and cleaning:
- **Brush and clean regularly**: Make sure to use a fluoride toothpaste in combination with your orthodontic cleaning solution to target areas around your brackets
- **Use a good oral rinse**: Rinse your mouth with water during meals to wash away particulate debris
- **Floss regularly**: Develop a habit of flossing at least once or twice a day to sweep away trapped food particles that can cause cavities.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve investigated the risks and benefits related to eating gum with Braces. It’s worth noting that gum can prove detrimental to your orthodontic treatment and overall dental health. By opting for sugar-free gum alternatives like Orkin and Kleenex, you can safeguard your teeth and brackets throughout your treatment. Additionally, by practicing good oral care habits, you’ll protect your smile from potential bacterial growth and complications. The bottom line is: chewing gum with Braces requires careful consideration and should avoid at all costs. Sugar-free gum and proper brushing, flossing and rinsing can help give you a healthier, clearer smile during and after Braces.