Unpopular Opinion: Chewing Gum and Braces
You Can Chew Gum With Braces!
Gum has been given the bad rap of being one of foods you must avoid fully while you are in braces. While it is true as an orthodontist I recommend you to steer clear of super sticky (and crunchy) foods to avoid breaking braces. The good news is some gums do not fall into the super sticky category,
Sugar free gum is not as sticky as you think and it even has a benefit - keep reading to learn more!
Not all chewing gums are equal; super sticky, sugary “candy” gums are still a no-go while in braces. Super sugary soft and sticky gums will break braces - I don’t want to name names but I am sure you can think of some gum varieties that match this description. I hate to say it, but you should also avoid hard candy lollipops with gum centers - this is because the center is often hard, sugary, super chewy gum that will break braces and send you to the orthodontist for repairs in short order. Also, no-one actually knows how many licks it takes to get to the center because everyone bites the sucker - this is why suckers are an orthodontists enemy!
Most sugar free gums, like Simply Gum or Trident, are sweetened with Xylitol which is actually good for teeth! If you want to get science-y about it keep reading this paragraph, otherwise trust me that Xylitol is good for the teeth and jump to the next paragraph. Xylitol tastes sweet but doesn’t break down the same way sugar does. When sugar enters your mouth it immediately begins to break down and acids are produced lowering the pH level contributing to an environment where harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay (and bad breath) can thrive. Xylitol is a natural ingredient, derived from plant fibers that does not promote acid production, therefore it does not reduce the mouth’s pH level when it breaks down, helping your mouth maintain a neutral pH while still tasting sweet. Wait, there’s more… xylitol also stops bacteria from sticking to your teeth which reduces plaque buildup! Reducing plaque on teeth reduces the risk of gum swelling and scars, or white spot lesions, forming on your teeth. So, in addition to being an impressive word that starts with an “x” and kind of sounds like xylophone it has helpful benefits!
When braces are first put on or tightened it is common to have minor to moderate discomfort for the first 24-48 hours. Everyone experiences a different level of discomfort, actually some people feel no discomfort at all. If you are one of those lucky people with no discomfort you can stop reading here unless you love to learn new things! To simplify things a bit, braces move your teeth (1st hardest part of your body) through bone (2nd hardest part of your body). The way it works is actually pretty wild but it seems so normal to us now that we take it for granted. I don’t want to nerd out too much here but basically we can move teeth because the jaw bones are special - they are unlike any other bone in the body and respond to force/pressure allowing bone to be reshaped, this reshaping is a form of trauma for the gums and jaw bone.
Say What?
Chewing after having your braces tightened actually makes your teeth feel better faster!
The way the body heals itself is by sending healing helpers through blood. This is true on your skin, which is why you bruise after you fall down, it is also true in the mouth. Increased blood flow improves healing which reduces pain and reduces the amount of time your teeth feel sore after having your braces tightened. When you chew you compress (or squish) the periodontal ligament, which is the padding between your teeth and the bone. After the periodontal ligament, PDL, is compressed it relaxes, the more frequently this happens the more blood is pumped through the area so… chewing promotes blood flow; which is a fancy way of saying, chewing gum can actually make your teeth feel better faster after having your braces tightened! You’re welcome!
