If you have braces, can you chew gum? Get the facts from RJ Orthodontics

If you have braces, can you chew gum? Find out what's going on.

You might be wondering if you can still chew gum with braces. People with braces have been told for a long time not to chew gum by many orthodontists. Gum was full of sugar, which was bad for your teeth and could give you cavities.

As times have changed, so has gum. People with braces can now choose from a wide variety of sugar-free gums. Less sticky than regular gum, sugarless gum recipes are less likely to get stuck in your braces.

Also, the materials used to make braces have changed, making it safer for people with braces to chew gum. Now, braces are made from materials that are more flexible and less likely to break when you chew sugar-free gum.

There are some good reasons to chew sugar-free gum even if you have braces.

When you have braces, here’s why you should chew gum:

Pain can be eased by chewing gum.

Sometimes it’s hard to get used to having braces. Some people find that chewing gum makes the pain in their jaws and ligaments go away.

If you chew gum without sugar, you can keep your teeth from getting cavities.

We don’t think of candy as a way to keep from getting cavities, but sugar-free gum can! When you chew gum, you produce more saliva. In turn, this helps clean the mouth of food and bacteria. Food can get stuck in your braces, but chewing gum can help get it out. This is helpful if you can’t brush your teeth right after you eat.

This extra saliva helps neutralize acids in the mouth that come from food or are made by oral bacteria. Acids can damage the enamel on your teeth, but saliva can protect it.

When you have braces, many dentists and orthodontists say that Trident gum is the best thing to chew. Make sure the gum has xylitol to make sure it’s safe for braces and keeps your teeth from getting cavities, whether you chew Trident or want to try another brand.

Braces for all ages in Austin, TX

At RJ Orthodontics, we specialize in giving orthodontic care to children, teens, and adults! Set up your appointment today, or get in touch with us if you have any questions.