Can I Chew Gum with Invisalign?

If you choose the Invisalign route over traditional braces to fix crooked teeth or other dental issues, you may think it gives you a free pass to still be able to eat anything you want. While you certainly have more freedom than you do with braces, there are still some foods and habits that are not recommended if you have Invisalign – chewing gum being one of them. Many people think they can chew gum with Invisalign, but choosing to do so can result in a sticky situation.

The team at Mint Leaf Dentistry has provided some recommendations when it comes to chewing gum with Invisalign as well as other pointers to allow our patients to have the best dental hygiene possible. 

Chewing Gum with Invisalign: Why You Shouldn’t Do It

Since Invisalign aligners aren’t attached to your teeth like metal braces, you can simply take them out when you want to enjoy a piece of gum. If you try to chew a stick of gum with your aligners, the sugar from the gum will stick to your aligners and damage your trays. When this happens, you may have to replace the trays, slowing down the Invisalign process. Each try is custom-made for your mouth, so damaging one requires it to be reordered and remade, which takes time away from you being able to use your aligners properly.

If you keep your trays in, the chewing motion can distort the shape of your aligners. Each set of aligners is designed to shift your teeth over time. If the trays are not shaped as they should be, it could impact your treatment. 

What Other Problems Can Chewing Gum with My Aligners Cause?

Besides having the gum stick to your aligners, chewing gum with your Invisalign can lead to bacteria forming and staining your trays. This can cause poor dental hygiene.

Even when you take your aligners out to chew gum, you’ll want to brush your teeth before putting your trays back in. If you skip this important step, bacteria can remain on your teeth and become trapped in your aligners.If you are going to take your aligners out to chew gum, opt for the sugar-free kind since this is better for your teeth and reduces the risk of tooth decay. 

Rather than gums being sweetened with sugar such as Juicy Fruit,Doublemint, and Winterfresh, sugar-free gum is sweetened with artificial sugars like xylitol. This is a naturally-occurring sweetener that is found in fruits and vegetables. Unlike regular sugar, once xylitol is absorbed, bacteria in the mouth pushes the xylitol away, making it less likely to stick to your teeth and lead to cavities.

The same rules apply to Nicotine gum and mastic chewing gum. They should both not be chewed with your Invisalign aligners in your mouth. Although mastic chewing gum is used for a variety of health reasons, and may help to reduce cavities, you still need to take your aligners out before chewing it.

Here’s another thing to consider…If you’re taking your aligners out regularly to chew a piece of gum, you’re not going to meet the daily recommended time to wear your aligners. It’s recommended you wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. Chewing a stick of gum a couple of times a day is going to result in you not meeting the recommended wearing time, thus slowing down the process.

What Happens If I Forget to Take My Invisalign Out Before Chewing Gum?

If you chew a piece of gum and forget to take your aligners out, there are some things you can try to do to fix the damage. Freezing your trays for a short time can harden the residue left by the gum, making it easier to scrape off. Peanut butter has also been used to loosen some of the sticky remains. Whatever you try, be gentle with your Invisalign. They are fragile and can break if you apply too much pressure.

If you’ve tried tactics to remove gum, as well as brushing the gum off with a toothbrush and nothing works, you’ll want to contact your orthodontist to figure out your next steps.

Alternatives to Chewing Gum

Many people chew gum to alleviate stress, reduce sleepiness, and improve concentration. If you fall into this category and wear Invisalign, there are some other things you can do so that you don’t have to keep taking your aligners out.

• More exposure to bright light and exercise can help to improve serotonin levels. This can improve mood and reduce anxiety that may cause some people to constantly chew gum.
• Deep breathing can help to increase blood flow to the brain to help improve concentration.
• Take a walk to reduce sleepiness and also increase serotonin levels.

Taking part in these activities will allow you to keep your aligners in so that you can complete your Invisalign treatment on time.

Do You Want More Information about Invisalign? Contact Mint Leaf Dentistry

If you want to learn more about Invisalign and whether it’s right for you, contact the team at Mint Leaf Dentistry to schedule a consultation. During the consultation, we will explain how the Invisalign system works to strengthen teeth and determine whether you would be a good candidate. Contact the office today at  919-330-1710 to get started!