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Can You Chew Gum While Wearing Retainer?

Writer Emily Cortez
Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

Among the first things, your orthodontist might tell you not to do while wearing braces, is to chew gum. New research reveals, however, that chewing specific types of gum can be beneficial to your teeth and braces. Chewing gum with braces carried the risk of having it lodged in the brackets and wires, or perhaps even breaking a wire and messing up teeth. This was mostly a problem with sugary gum, but even larger volumes of sugar-free gum might put braces at risk. Today’s brace materials are much more elastic, and chewing gum, as far as it’s sugarless, is less likely to damage them.

Gum that is sugar-free could also assist to avoid cavities. Artificial sweetener components contained in many types of sugar-free gum have been shown in studies to prevent the growth of bacteria that causes tooth decay. Chewing gum also boosts saliva production, which aids in the removal of microorganisms.

Chewing sugarless gum for twenty minutes after meals helps preserve your teeth and assist remove food particles off your braces, especially if you’re unable to brush or floss soon after eating. Consult your orthodontist to see if chewing gum is appropriate for you and your orthodontic equipment, but sugar-free gum is a pleasant way to keep your smile looking great. The newer materials utilized in braces are also very different from the materials used in older braces. Wires may be more flexible than they once were, making them less prone to bend when chewing gum is applied.

Using sugar-free gum promotes the formation of saliva. This neutralizes and wipes away acids created when plaque bacteria on teeth break down foods and drinks. Chewing gum was found to minimize the impact and pain of having braces placed on teeth in research. Chewing gum did not cause damage to braces, according to the same study. However, you should see your dentist or orthodontist before chewing gum, as it’s difficult to tell what materials were utilized in your braces.