Can You Have Gum with Braces? A Comprehensive Guide for Braces Wearers
Introduction
Braces are an important dental instrument that can help straighten crooked teeth and promote the overall health of your mouth. But they do bring their own list of dietary limitations — to make sure the braces work properly and don’t end up bent. One of the most common questions we get at DAGE from patients who are undergoing treatment with braces is if they can chew gum. The short answer is: Yes, although it depends. In this guide, we’ll be looking through all you need to know about chewing gum with braces, detailing potential risks, alternative solutions and best practices to maintaining good oral hygiene with braces.
Can You Have Gum with Braces?
The Risks of Chewing Gum with Braces
- Gum can sometimes contribute to the development of cavities, especially if it’s not sugar-free. Sugary gum leaves behind a sugary film that feeds harmful bacteria in your mouth, which increases the likelihood of cavities forming around the brackets.
Sticky Residue and Food Debris
Gum can become lodged in the brackets and wires of your braces, and the sticky types of gum, like chewing gum and bubblegum, are the worst offenders. This can lead to food particles accumulating in hard-to-reach spots and being difficult to remove as you clean your braces.
Potential Damage to Braces
As the other poster mentioned, hard gum or gum with sugar alcohols do more damage to the braces. Chewing gum that is too firm can put extra stress on your brackets and wires, which can cause brackets to loosen or break.
Discomfort and Pain
Chewing gum isn’t very comfortable for people wearing braces, especially early on in the braces process. The braces may chafe on the sensitive gums, especially if you are having difficulty with pressure as you chew.
Difficult to Clean
Because gum is sticky, it can be hard to remove from your braces and teeth. It can become trapped between your teeth and braces, which can lead to the formation of plaque and raise your chances of getting cavities or gum disease.
Increased Risk of Cavities
Gum may be cavities’ best friend (or not). Sugar-filled gum leaves a sugary film the feeds the bad bacteria in your mouth causing an even greater risk of decay around the brackets.
Types of Gum to Avoid with Braces
Not all gums are created equal, and some types can be more damaging to braces than others. Here’s a breakdown of gum types to avoid:
Regular Chewing Gum
Normal sugar gum can vastly boost the likelihood of developing cavities. The sugar in the gum feeds bad bacteria that can create plaque around your braces and lead to cavities.
Bubble Gum
Bubblegum is well known to be sticky and will remain stuck within your braces.
Hard Gum or Taffy
Hard gum and taffy can be particularly harmful due to the amount of force needed to chew it. This force can stress the brackets and may weaken or break them.
Can You Have Sugar-Free Gum with Braces?
Sugar-free gum, like that containing xylitol, may appear to be a better option for braces patients, but even this type of gum should be used carefully. Sugar-free gum may be less likely to create cavities, but it can still get caught in your braces, causing cleaning problems.
But sugar-free gum is mbe thought of as a good alternative to sugar gum in general because it doesn’t cause cavity. Some orthodontists even suggest it as a lesser evil, since it can stimulate the production of saliva, or freshen your breath.
Are There Any Alternatives to Gum for Braces Wearers?
If you’re craving the chewiness and satisfaction that gum provides but want to avoid the risks associated with braces, there are several alternatives you can try:
1. Sugar-Free Mints or Candies
Sugar-free mints or candies can be a great alternative to gum. They don’t stick to your braces, and they help freshen your breath without causing the same risks as traditional gum.
2. Orthodontic Chewing Gum
Some brands specialize in orthodontic-friendly chewing gum. These gums are designed to be less sticky and are made to dissolve more easily without getting stuck in your braces. Always check with your orthodontist before using any specific brand.
3. Chewing on Soft Foods
For the same feeling of chewing on food is chewing on soft food such as sugar free jelly, rice cakes and even low carb vegetables such as celery and carrot. And some of these foods can provide the sensation of chewing gum without the dangers.
What Should You Do if Gum Gets Stuck in Your Braces?
If you happen to get gum stuck in your braces, don’t panic! Here’s what you can do to remove it:
Use Warm Water
Rinse your mouth with warm water to encourage the gum to come loose. You could also apply warm water to the gum that caught in your braces loosening it a bit.
Use Dental Floss
Carefully move dental floss up and down to dislodge the gum from between your teeth and braces. Caution should be exercised not to exert too much pressure since force should be minimized to prevent damaging the brackets.
Visit Your Orthodontist
If the gum is still lodged on there and you can’t pry it off, call your orthodontist. They may assist in removing the gum without harming your braces.
The Importance of Oral Hygiene with Braces
Taking care of your teeth and gums is extra important with braces. Braces may collect food and plaque on and around your teeth and brackets, providing an environment where bacteria can thrive. Here are some tips to keep your braces clean and working:
Brush After Every Meal
After meals, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Be extra cautious around the brackets and wires to eliminate any food debris or plaque.
Use Interdental Brushes or Floss Threaders
Interdental brushes or floss threaders can be used if your child needs to clean between the brackets and wires — where a regular toothbrush can’t reach. That way nothing else will get left behind in your braces on down the road.
Rinse with Mouthwash
Mouthwash can also kill bacteria and mitigate plaque buildup. Make sure to use alcohol-free mouthwash if your mouth is dry.
Regular Orthodontic Visits
Do not forgo your regular check ins with the orthodontist. They’ll track the movement of your braces, look for any problems and give them a professional cleaning to keep them in good condition.
Conclusion
As appealing as it may seem, you’re better off not chewing gum—especially sticky, sugary gum—when you have braces. It can cause harm, it can cause pain and you’ll have to carefully clean around your braces. If you need something to chomp on, sugar-free gum and orthodontic-friendly alternatives can be a better choice. Keep up on good oral care habits always continue to listen to whatever your orthodontist has to say to make your treatment easy and successful.
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