Invisalign clear aligners are an alternative to traditional braces for treating a variety of tooth misalignments, such as:
Many of our patients at Arlington Dental Excellence choose Invisalign due to the many benefits, including a shorter treatment time. On average, Invisalign can resolve most mild to moderate malocclusions within 12 to 18 months. However, there are certain lifestyle changes that are suggested when wearing aligners, such as quitting smoking, and the aligners must be removed to eat/drink and to take care of oral hygiene.
However, many people chew gum to keep their mouths busy for various reasons. In this article, we’ll discuss the rules for chewing gum with Invisalign.
Chewing Gum with Invisalign
Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed when you are eating or drinking because these things can damage aligners. However, many people enjoy chewing gum for a variety of reasons including:
- To curb hunger
- To prevent smoking
- To freshen breath
Sometimes, they end up chewing gum for most of the day. Unfortunately, removing your aligners for this long can delay your treatment. However, chewing the wrong type of gum can damage your aligners and cause jaw pain.
Still, if you must chew gum while undergoing Invisalign treatment, it is possible. You must choose gum that is sugar-free and soft enough that it won’t cause damage. Some popular options include:
Removing Gum From Invisalign Aligners
While you can chew gum with your aligners if you’re careful, you may find that the gum sticks to them. There are several ways that you can remove stuck-on gum, depending on how much time/effort you’re willing to expend. However, it’s important to be patient and careful no matter what method you use.
Below are some of the most popular methods for cleaning gum off of your aligners:
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Oil bath
An oil bath can help to remove the gum from your aligners. Try putting peanut butter, coconut oil, or olive oil on your aligners to remove the gum. The idea is that the oil will make the gum slippery so it will slide off. You may need to use a denture brush, which is stiffer than a traditional toothbrush but still soft enough to avoid damaging them, to gently scrub it.
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Freezer
Try placing your aligners in the freezer for about 20 to 60 minutes. This should make the gum brittle enough to pop it off when scrubbing with a denture brush.
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Fingernails
Try scraping it with your fingernails if the gum is still fairly soft. If it’s hard, you might be able to use a toothbrush or toothpick to loosen it. However, you must be careful when doing this, as you could damage your aligners.
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Vinegar
A vinegar bath may dissolve the gum if the above methods don’t work.
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Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can effectively loosen the gum. However, you must make sure to rinse the aligners well before putting them back in your mouth.
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Contact your dentist
If nothing is working to remove the gum from your aligners, you can contact your dentist for a replacement.
Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation Today
If you have a mild to moderate malocclusion and you’re interested in a discreet way to straighten your teeth, schedule your consultation with the team at Arlington Dental Excellence today. We will start with a comprehensive exam including imaging, as well as a discussion of your expectations for treatment. This will help determine if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment.
We are located at 3801 Fairfax Drive, Suite 54 in Arlington. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We are available on Sundays as well for patients who have a dental emergency.
In addition to Invisalign treatment, we offer a variety of dental services for your whole family- from pediatrics to seniors. We look forward to helping you keep your smile beautiful and healthy for life.
