Wearing braces often means giving up favorite habits, but the desire to chew gum remains strong. While traditional sticky gum is prohibited because it can damage orthodontic hardware, certain specialized options are safe. Understanding the difference between standard and braces-safe gum is the first step toward maintaining oral hygiene and treatment integrity. Choosing the correct type allows patients to enjoy chewing without risking costly repairs or delays.
Why Standard Chewing Gum Poses a Risk to Orthodontic Hardware
Typical chewing gum is formulated with high tackiness and strong adhesive quality. This high adhesion is the main mechanical reason it poses a threat to orthodontic appliances. As the gum is chewed, it wraps around the metal components, creating powerful pulling forces every time the jaw opens.
These constant pulling forces can strain the bond between the bracket and the tooth surface, potentially leading to a loosened or detached bracket. Furthermore, the sticky mass can easily snag on the flexible archwire. Pulling on the archwire can bend it out of shape, which compromises the calibrated forces designed to move the teeth.
Essential Characteristics of Braces-Safe Gum
The primary requirement for any gum considered safe for braces is that it must be entirely sugar-free. Sugar makes the gum stickier, increasing adhesion risk, and provides a food source for oral bacteria. These bacteria rapidly produce acidic byproducts, accelerating enamel demineralization and decay on the tooth surfaces adjacent to the brackets.
The second characteristic is a specialized, non-adhesive texture that minimizes mechanical pulling forces. Safe gums are engineered to be softer and less tacky than traditional counterparts, making them less likely to cling to the metal hardware. This reduced stickiness ensures the gum can be removed easily from the mouth without exerting strain on the orthodontic components.
Many acceptable sugar-free gums utilize sugar substitutes like Xylitol or Sorbitol instead of traditional sucrose. Xylitol is particularly beneficial because it is a non-fermentable sugar alcohol, meaning oral bacteria cannot metabolize it into damaging acids. Checking for seals of acceptance from dental organizations, like the American Dental Association, offers patients an added layer of assurance.
Oral Health Benefits of Chewing Gum with Braces
Selecting the correct type of gum transforms chewing into a proactive measure for oral health during treatment. The physical action of chewing safely increases the flow rate of saliva. Saliva acts as the body’s natural defense, helping to rinse away food debris and sugars lodged around the brackets and wires.
Increased saliva production also plays a role in neutralizing the pH level after meals or snacks. The saliva contains bicarbonate ions, which buffer the acids produced by bacterial metabolism, quickly returning the mouth to a neutral environment. Maintaining a neutral pH is important for protecting the enamel, especially in areas difficult to reach with a toothbrush.
Furthermore, the constant bath of saliva helps deliver dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and phosphate, back to the tooth surface. This process, known as remineralization, helps repair microscopic damage to the enamel caused by acid exposure. Chewing the appropriate sugar-free gum can actively contribute to maintaining strong, healthy teeth throughout the bracing period.
What to Do If Gum Damages Your Braces
Even when using safe gum, accidents can occur, or a pre-existing loose bond may give way. If a bracket has detached or an archwire has been pulled out, avoid panic and resist the urge to fix the appliance yourself. Attempting to manipulate loose parts can cause further damage to the hardware or injure the soft tissues of the mouth.
Immediately rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm salt water to clean the area and soothe irritation. If a loose wire is causing discomfort, gently dry the area and cover the sharp end with a small piece of orthodontic wax. This wax acts as a temporary barrier until professional help is available.
Contact your orthodontist immediately to report the damage, even if it feels minor. They can determine the urgency of the repair and schedule an appointment to re-bond the bracket or replace the compromised wire. Delaying the repair can negatively impact the treatment timeline.