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If you want to straighten your teeth with Invisalign braces, you join millions of other dental patients who use this system of clear, removable aligners. More than 14 million dental patients owe their new smile to Invisalign, and as a new user, you may have questions about their care. Can you chew gum with Invisalign? Why or why not? Our San Tan Valley orthodontists at Peterson Family Ortho help you make the best choices when caring for your new aligners.
Should You Chew Gum With Invisalign?
One of the greatest conveniences of the Invisalign system is that you can remove the aligners to clean them or when you eat or drink, which protects the clear plastic. Most orthodontists recommend removing the aligners when chewing gum as well. If you leave them in, it causes several problems with your Invisalign braces, including:
- The gum becoming entangled in the tray
- The force of chewing damaging the plastic
- The tray becoming loose
Removing your aligning trays before you chew gum protects their shape. If you forget to remove them before chewing gum, you have a few cleansing options, along with contacting our orthodontic team.
How Do You Get Gum out of Invisalign?
While you might believe you can chew gum with your Invisalign braces if you do so with caution, you run the risk of the sticky stuff adhering to your aligning trays. Follow these cleaning tips unless you see visible damage that requires professional repairs.
Vinegar Bath
Using white vinegar may dissolve any gum stuck to your Invisalign tray. Soak it for approximately 30-45 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly to avoid any unpleasant aftertaste.
Freeze the Tray
Freezing your Invisalign inserts can help make gum removal easier. Freeze the tray for an hour, and then gently remove the frozen gum with a denture brush. Avoid scrubbing the plastic to prevent damage to the tray material.
Olive Oil Bath
Using olive oil on your invisible braces can help loosen sticky gum so that it slides away easily when you try to pull it off. Use a gentle brush to remove smaller bits of gum and rinse them several times before using them again.
If you cannot remove any of the gum from your Invisalign trays, contact our ortho team for further assistance to avoid breakage and expensive replacements.
What Is the Safest Gum for You As an Invisalign Patient?
As an Invisalign user, avoiding chewing gum until you finish your treatment is probably the safest option. However, if you cannot break the habit, remember to remove your alignment tray beforehand and choose a sugarless gum to prevent cavities.
Reading gum ingredients can help you make an informed choice about the brand you choose. Look for xylitol, a sweetener that reduces cavity-forming bacteria in your mouth by up to 75%. No matter which gum you pick, remember to brush and floss after chewing and before putting your aligners back in.
Contact Our San Tan Valley Office Today
Can you chew gum with Invisalign? How do you clean your trays? Contact us at Peterson Family Ortho today for answers that keep your teeth healthy throughout Invisalign straightening treatment and beyond.