Humans love—and have always loved—chewing gum. If you read our post about the weird ways we used to clean our teeth, you’ll remember some of the ways people have been getting their freshening fix for centuries: tree sap, sweet grass, and wax to name a few. It’s no wonder, then, that one of the first questions people have about braces is “Can I still chew gum?” We hear that chewing gum is forbidden, but then talk to friends or read online articles and find conflicting advice. Today we’ll give you the information you need to make informed decisions about gum and braces health.
The Short Answer: No
It’s really best to avoid chewing gum while you’re wearing braces. Any sticky substances, gum included, put them at risk. Gum may not pull your brackets off, but if it gets stuck, you could bend the wires that connect your brackets in the process of trying to untangle the mess. Even the simple act of chewing gum can bend the wires, sticky or not. Best case, you notice that you’ve bent the wire and have to quickly find time for an appointment to get it straightened out. Worst (and more likely) case, you don’t notice, and your teeth subtly start moving toward the bend before you get the chance to straighten it back out, lengthening your entire treatment time.
The bottom line is that it’s best to stop chewing gum while you have your braces on. It’s a small sacrifice to make to secure your future with beautifully straightened teeth!
But My Friend Said…
Of course, there’s always an older sibling or friend to contend with, who said they chewed gum while they had braces and never had a problem. To make matters even more complicated, some articles and reports do advocate for gum chewing with braces. There is some evidence to suggest that chewing gum can relieve the pain of new braces and calm down gum inflammation, due to the increase in blood flow it causes. Some sources also suggest that sugar-free gum carries less risk of stickiness, and recommend it as an alternative to flossing, as the increased saliva it produces washes away dangerous bacteria.
But is this enough reward for the risk? Even if these reports do have truth to them, there are other ways to achieve the benefits they describe that don’t put your braces in harm’s way.
Smart Alternatives
If you’re worried about braces pain, regularly chewing gum can actually make your teeth hurt for longer, as the pressure and bending can move the teeth into unexpected positions. Most over-the-counter pain relievers will do the trick for the short period of discomfort you may feel after adjustments, and you can also drink cold water or use an ice pack to decrease inflammation. When it comes to washing away bacteria, the best thing to do is simply stay hydrated—you’ll be fueling your body to do its job naturally.
But what about that fresh feeling? Sometimes, in between brushings, we want a little freshness boost. To knock out two birds with one stone, drink water infused with lemon or lime. You’ll be hydrating yourself and freshening your breath at the same time. If you just love the sensation of chewing, try some less hard and sticky alternatives like ginger slices or peppermint herbs. And as long as you don’t chew them up, regular mints should be fine in a pinch (just beware of the extra sugar!).
At Birmingham Orthodontics, our mission is simple: we create smiles. Not only do we straighten the crooked grin, fix the bite, and adjust the jaw, we also brighten yearbooks, help young people come to like their looks, and give adults the confidence they have wanted for a long, long time. We also believe in our staff. Our culture of continuous learning has allowed us to host monthly training sessions for each team and bring in leading industry consultants to help keep us ahead of the curve. Contact us for a free consultation, or any questions you might have.
FAQs
It's really best to avoid chewing gum while you're wearing braces. Any sticky substances, gum included, put them at risk.
Is it OK if you chew gum with braces? ›
Patients should not chew gum while they have their expander, but patients with traditional braces can chew gum if it is on the ADA (American Dental Association) approved list of sugar-free gums. These gums are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, sorbitol or mannitol.
Why did my orthodontist tell me to chew gum? ›
Increases Saliva Production – Chewing gum stimulates saliva flow, which is beneficial for oral health. Saliva helps neutralize the acids produced by bacteria, reducing the risk of enamel erosion. It also washes away food particles and plaque, keeping your teeth and braces cleaner.
Can you chew gum with InBrace? ›
That said, there are some foods to avoid with InBrace, including anything really hard, chewy, or sticky that could damage your appliance, such as nuts, pizza crust, gummy candy, taffy, and chewing gum.
What candy can I have with braces? ›
Here Are the Best Candies to Eat When You Have Braces
- Reese's Pieces.
- KitKats.
- Reese's Peanut butter cups.
- 3 Musketeers and other soft chocolate-only bars.
- Plain or peanut butter M&Ms (NOT peanut M&Ms)
- Chocolate bars (no nuts)
- Soft cookies (no nuts)
- Ritz Bits mini crackers.
On the downside, as mentioned earlier, gum can get stuck in braces, leading to potential damage and increased plaque buildup. Weighing these factors can help you make an informed decision about whether to chew gum with braces.
What is a good alternative to gum with braces? ›
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.
Why do gums drop with braces? ›
Gum recession is a common side effect of braces that occurs when the braces pressure the gum tissue or when the teeth are forced into new positions. In most cases, gum recession will disappear once the braces are removed. However, it may persist even after treatment is completed in some cases.
Why do gums go over braces? ›
Sometimes, if braces cause a significant amount of bacteria build-up, swelling and irritation around the gum line, it can cause the gums to overgrow the teeth partially. This condition is known as gingival enlargement or gingival hyperplasia. The best way to treat gingival hyperplasia is through excellent oral hygiene.
What do braces do to your gums? ›
The braces (hardware) can make it difficult to brush or floss away bacterial plaque, the cause of periodontal (gum) disease that can lead to swollen, inflamed gums. Gum tissues may also react negatively to the hardware by swelling and overgrowing around the teeth, known as hyperplasia.
You can choose braces colors that fit your skin tone. If you have dark or olive skin, opt for bright jewel tones, like gold, turquoise, violet or navy. If you have fair skin, cool colors look best, so try silver, sky blue, light pink or lilac. Braces wax is clear so it won't change the colors.
How to get gum out of braces? ›
Use your toothbrush to get as much of the gum out as you can. But don't scrub too hard — you don't want to damage your braces. For gum stuck around your brackets or between your teeth, use dental floss to pick it out. If there's still some gum left, try another round of gentle brushing.
Can you eat pizza with braces? ›
Absolutely. Thin crust pizza is softer than regular crusts and is easier to consume while wearing braces. Thicker, harder crusts may be more challenging to bite through with braces and can cause damage to your appliance. Stick with a thin crust and soft toppings throughout your braces treatment journey.
Are marshmallows ok for braces? ›
Basically, anything that's hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy, or any foods you bite into. When it comes to summer foods for braces, you'll want to skip hard or crunchy snacks like popcorn, raw veggies, nuts or chips, chewy candies or marshmallows (yep, even in s' mores!), and, of course, corn on the cob or whole apples.
Can you eat Oreos with braces? ›
Soft cookies (without nuts) are good, but avoid hard cookies like Oreos and Chips Ahoy unless you're a milk dunker. Ice cream is fine, but skip the nuts and hard candy toppings. Milkshakes are good also, as are jello, pudding, and soft cake.
Are twizzlers ok for braces? ›
Licorice and Twizzlers should be avoided while eating braces. The twists can break apart and get stuck in your brackets and wires. It can also be difficult to chew them if they're a little stale. Although Twizzlers come in smaller, bite-sized pieces, they're still not safe to eat with braces and should be avoided.
Can I get my gums cut with braces? ›
It is a minimally invasive procedure that can help improve the aesthetics of your smile and treat gum disease. Although gum reshaping with braces on is possible, it should only be done if your gum disease isn't too advanced.
Why can't you eat popcorn with braces? ›
Popcorn hulls can get stuck under braces, where they are very difficult to remove. They can get wedged between teeth and below the gums, causing them to become inflamed and swollen. If you feel you can't live without popcorn, “hulless” popcorn is safer for people with braces.
Is it okay to swallow gum? ›
Answer From Elizabeth Rajan, M.D. Although chewing gum is designed to be chewed and not swallowed, it generally isn't harmful if swallowed.
