Chewing gum with braces can be a tricky endeavor. It’s a common misconception that you should never chew gum while wearing braces, but the truth is that there are many benefits to chewing gum while wearing braces. In addition to helping to keep your teeth and braces clean, chewing gum can also help to reduce discomfort and even aid in the process of straightening your teeth.
Chewing gum helps to clean your teeth by increasing the flow of saliva in your mouth. Saliva helps to wash away food particles and plaque, which can build up on your teeth and around your braces and cause cavities, staining, and other oral health problems. Chewing gum also helps to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth, which can help to prevent bad breath and other oral health issues.
Chewing gum can also help to reduce the discomfort associated with braces. When you chew gum, it stimulates your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the muscles in your face and jaw. This helps to reduce tension and pain in these areas, which can be caused by wearing braces and can make it difficult to eat and speak.
Chewing gum can even help to aid in the process of straightening your teeth. When you chew gum, it helps to move your teeth and braces into position, which can help to speed up the process of straightening your teeth.
It’s important to note that not all types of gum are suitable for chewing with braces. Sugar-free gum is generally considered to be the best option as it’s less likely to cause cavities and won’t stick to your braces. Additionally, it’s important to avoid gum with hard pieces, like nuts or seeds, which can damage your braces.
Overall, chewing gum with braces can be beneficial in a number of ways. Not only can it help to keep your teeth and braces clean, but it can also help to reduce discomfort and even aid in the process of straightening your teeth. Just make sure to choose sugar-free gum and avoid gum with hard pieces.