If you have braces, you might be wondering if you can still chew gum. Many orthodontists have been telling people with braces for a long time not to chew gum. The sugar in gum was bad for your teeth and could lead to cavities.
Gum has changed along with the times. People with braces now have a wide range of sugar-free gums to choose from. Since sugarless gum recipes are less sticky than regular gum, they are less likely to get stuck in your braces.
Also, the materials that are used to make braces have changed, making it safer for people with braces to chew gum. Now, braces are made of materials that are less likely to break when you chew sugar-free gum because they are more flexible.
Even if you have braces, there are some good reasons to chew sugar-free gum.
Here’s why you should chew gum when you have braces:
Chewing gum can help ease pain.
When you have braces, it can be hard to get used to them. Some people find that chewing gum takes away the pain in their jaws and ligaments.
If you chew sugar-free gum, you could keep cavities at bay.
We don’t think of candy as a way to avoid getting cavities, but sugar-free gum can! When you chew gum, more saliva comes out of your mouth. In turn, this helps get rid of food and germs in the mouth. Chewing gum can help you get food out of your braces when it gets stuck. If you can’t brush your teeth right after you eat, this will help.
This extra saliva helps to neutralize acids in the mouth that come from food or are made by oral bacteria. The enamel on your teeth can be hurt by acids, but saliva can protect it.
Many dentists and orthodontists say that Trident gum is the best thing to chew when you have braces. Make sure the gum has xylitol to make sure it’s safe for your braces and won’t give you cavities, whether you want to stick with Trident or try a different brand.
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