Chewing Gum with Braces: Pros, Cons, Tips, and Alternatives

Who doesn’t love chewing gums? We all are addicted to chewing gums to reduce stress, get our minds off of something, or refresh our breath. But what if you just had a dental implant, such as braces? What would you do then? 

Getting braces is pivotal to managing some dental issues. Moroever, you can install braces from Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for the following reasons: 

Now that you have braces, how can you chew gums?

And most importantly, can you chew gums or not? 

Let us answer some of these questions. This will allow you to decide whether to chew gums with braces! 

The Connection Between Gums and Braces

Braces are artificial gadgets placed on a single tooth and connected by a metal wire. Braces are placed on teeth to improve a person’s dental health. Conventional braces were uncomfortable and painful. 

Modern braces are more accessible to carry and pain-free. These braces also allow better hygiene and easy removal. People of all age types can get braces for a better dental orientation.

During every dental visit, the dentist rotates the brackets so that the metal does not harm the teeth. Chewing gums repetitively with braces can change the wire’s structure. Worst-case scenarios can lead to teeth displacement. 

Therefore, a better approach is to understand the merits and demerits of chewing gums with braces.  

Benefits of Chewing Gum with Braces

Contemporary orthodontic treatments such as aligners and braces are pure art. These treatments reduce the pain and discomfort while enhancing the person’s overall dental health. Braces allow better dental functioning for the person. 

Dentists used to say no to chewing gum with braces, but now they’re okay with it sometimes.

Some modern studies by the American Dental Association state that some people who can’t brush their teeth after braces can chew sugar-less gum for better oral functions. 

The Demerits of Chewing Gum with Braces

If you are addicted to chewing sugar gums, the story is somewhat different. 

Gums to Avoid with Braces

Here are some gums that are an absolute no at all times, and people with braces should avoid them at all costs.

Bubble Gum

Everyone’s favorite – bubble gum is highly chewy and soft gums. But it is their sticky nature that makes these gums a nightmare for people with braces.

Hard Gum

A straight no – these hard gums take a lot of effort to break them down and, therefore, should be avoided at all costs.

Sticky Gum

With a gummy nature, sticky gums are highly risky for your oral health. The stakes are even higher when you have braces installed. This is because the sticky gums can damage the wires and lead to irreversible damage.

Sugary Gum

You cannot chew sugar gums with braces because all the sugar leads to acid production. All this acid will lead to cavities, tooth decay, and, eventually, tooth loss.

Explore Alternatives to Sugary Gum

If you are a fan of sugary gums, it is high time you found some alternatives. Because all that sugar will damage your teeth, rendering all the effects of braces null and void. 

Therefore, let’s learn some of the alternatives to chewing gums: 

1- Refresh Your Breath Instantly with Water

Instead of chewing, the best and easiest alternative is to sip cool water for an instant breath refresh. It’s free, healthy, and quick. Enough said!

2- Brush and Floss Regularly 

All those people who chew gum to prevent cavities can upgrade their brushing and flossing routine. Try brushing your teeth after every meal, floss twice daily, and stay hydrated. 

3- Choose Sugarless Gum for Healthier Braces

First, you must get rid of your sugary gum stack. Those are not good for your braces, and there is no debate about them.

The science has successfully upgraded the braces. But if you opt for wired braces, you must give up on sugary gums. 

A better substitute for sugary gums is sugar-free gums. These sorts of gums can increase the saliva production in your mouth without the aftereffects of acid imbalance. 

Sugarless gums have the following chemicals as substitutes: 

Sugarless gums do all the same work that sugary gums do but without the factor of tooth damage. These types of gums also help in lifting the teeth’s roots. Some dentists also recommend that people chew gum to relieve the pain. Once the pain vanishes, you can spit out the gum. 

4- Swap Gum for Sugar-Free Mints or Mouthwash 

You can replace chewing gum habits with sugar-free mint or mouthwash. Mouthwashes and sugar-free mint won’t stick with your gums. 

Moroever, you should refrain from using hard mints. These mints, because of their hardness, can cause damage to your braces’ brackets. 

5- Freshen Up Naturally with Ginger

Enjoy the fresh ginger by adding it to your water or tea. Take a bite of fresh ginger for an extra burst of flavor. Alternatively, try a Gingermint for a spicy breath freshener.

Healthy Tips to Enjoy Chewing Gum with Braces

Here are some tips that you should follow for better chewing gum with braces experience:

All of these tips will help you enjoy chewing gums with braces. These tips will also reduce the chance of severe tooth decay or subsequent damage. 

Best Sugar-Free Gums for People with Braces 

People with gums do not have to worry about bad breath anymore. They can entice their senses with the enigmatic flavor of sugar-less gums so they do not have to bear the consequences of chewing gum with braces.

Modern studies by the American Dental Association state that some people who can’t brush their teeth after braces can chew sugar-less gum for better oral functions.

Listed below are some of the healthy options in this context: 

What Happens While Chewing Gums with Braces?

Here are some of the main reasons why chewing gums with braces is not allowed:

Tooth Decay

Too much sugar can have destructive effects on the teeth. Chewing sugary gums with braces will lead to a sticky paradox that will cause cavities. This tooth decay will be irreversible and will be the cause of severe pain.

Saliva Production

A positive aspect of chewing gums with braces is that it leads to saliva production. This saliva helps in catering to dry mouth and indigestion issues.

Pain and Discomfort

During chewing gums with braces, it is highly plausible for the gum to get stuck between the braces. This is a highly painful situation as it often leads to severe tooth loss by cavity onset.

Let’s Settle the Debate! 

So, in the context of the above-built narrative, Yes, you can chew gum with braces. But you have to be careful. Remember all the tips mentioned above, suggestions, and alternatives. 

Above all, attend your weekly or monthly checkups at Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. They will promptly assess your dental condition and guide you accordingly.