Chewing Sugar-Free Gum Recommended With Braces
August 11th, 2017
Misconceptions exist about the general experience of having braces and are typically based on recommendations, procedures and technologies from decades ago. New research has enabled advanced technologies that have made the orthodontic experience much better than it would have been even 5 or 10 years ago. This is great news for everybody.
“Can I chew gum with braces?”
This is one of the most common questions we have in our practice. The short answer is yes, if the gum is sugar-free and contains xylitol. Several recent scientific studies have shown that gum with xylitol (examples- Trident, Icebreakers, and many others) have a multitude of benefits:
- Reduction of Tooth Decay
- Aids Enamel Remineralization and Repair
- Increases Salivary Flow
- Increases Comfort During Tooth Movement
Always follow your specific orthodontist’s recommendations when it comes to the care of your braces. Each patient’s case or type of braces being used may vary. There are specific cases (TMJ pain/discomfort) when gum chewing is not recommended. However, at DCO, we generally recommend that our patients chew a sugar-free gum that contains xylitol 2-3 times per day. Invisalign patients may chew gum as well when aligners are removed. The best timing for chewing gum during orthodontic treatment is immediately after a meal.
So, at DCO, you have the OK to chew away!
