Chances are you were super excited to get your aligners or Invisalign clear braces! However, your world probably came crashing down when you found out you need to eliminate certain foods such as hard candy and soda. You would be one of the lucky ones if your dentist approved chewing gum during your orthodontic treatment. The following list is considered to be the best chewing gum when you have braces or Invisalign clear aligners.
Gum with the ADA Seal
As a new orthodontist patient, you will become familiar with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. This seal shows that a specific product was tested for safety by the association. Gum that has the ADA seal is recommended for orthodontic patients.
Sugarfree Gum
Sugar is well known for causing cavities. Just think every time you choose gum that contains sugar you are putting your teeth at jeopardy. The candy and gum industry has created tasty treats without using pure sugar. The most popular sugarfree gum brands are Xylitol, XyloBurst, Orbit, Glee Gum, Peppersmith and Pür. You can find these sugarfree gum brands easily at your local grocery or convenience store.
Benefits of Chewing Gum
On occasion, throughout your life, you probably were told not to chew gum. Today, gum and candy manufacturers have removed the sugar that damaged teeth in the past. This means the action of chewing gum has benefits such as the following:
- Stimulates saliva to encourage an overall healthy mouth
- Removes bacteria from your mouth
- Helps strengthen tooth enamel
- Loosens and removes plaque from teeth
- Whitens teeth
- Combats anxiety and stress which helps prevent teeth grinding
- Improves breath
- Protects teeth
Can I chew gum every day?
Gum chewing obviously has plenty of benefits for your overall oral health. However, as with everything, moderation is essential to a healthy mouth. Chewing gum once per day after lunch or a snack is typical for most people. Generally, it’s to freshen breath because the person doesn’t have access to a toothbrush or the opportunity to rush off to the restroom to brush their teeth. Gum is an excellent solution for loosening particles and debris after a meal.
The one thing you don’t want to do is chew gum for the entire day. The general rule is to get rid of the gum as soon as it loses its flavor. Some people who chew gum for stress reasons often forget about the taste and just focus on the chewing motion. The constant chewing action can cause your jaw to become tired. Remember to remove your gum as soon as you don’t enjoy the flavor anymore. The American Dental Association (ADA) advises orthodontic patients to chew gum for up to 20 minutes following a meal.
Every case is different so make sure you have a professional’s approval for chewing gum during your orthodontic treatment. As a patient of ours, contact us today to find out if chewing gum while wearing your braces is recommended for your specific situation.
Meet Dr. Jacquie Smiles
Dr. Jacquie Smiles, also known to her patience as Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling, D.M.D., P.C., started her career in orthodontics/dentistry at Boston University and after graduation became the first female and youngest Director of B.U.’s Predoctoral Orthodontic Department. She is now part of the Invisalign prestigious faculty department, this means she is among one of the most experienced Invisalign providers in the world.
Interested in learning more about Invisalign in NYC? Please contact the office of Dr. Jacquie Smiles for more information by calling us at 212-972-3522 or filling out our convenient contact form to schedule your appointment.
