Can You Chew Gum with Invisalign? Here's What Happens If You Do

Aligners should be out of your mouth before eating gum. Gum can adhere to the aligners and cause them to become misaligned and easier to trap food in. Avoid eating or drinking anything but water while wearing your aligners, and remove them before eating or chewing any food.

Key Takeaways

• Take aligners out of your mouth before chewing gum.
• Despite the fact that sugar free gum is not recommended while wearing braces, it is still not beneficial when wearing aligners.
• If you chew gum while wearing aligners, clean them right away and make sure to look for cracks or any damage to the aligners.
• Small daily habits can make a big difference in the success of your Invisalign treatment.

Have you ever reached for a piece of gum, started chewing and suddenly realized your Invisalign aligners were still in? It happens more often than you might think. Whether you're driving, working or simply distracted, it's easy to forget you're wearing clear aligners until it's too late.

The good news is that one mistake doesn't ruin your Invisalign treatment. However, chewing gum with your aligners isn't a habit you want to develop. The gum could adhere to the plastic, cause discomfort in the aligners and present additional cleaning problems. If you learn more about this, you can avoid potentially unnecessary delays and ensure that treatment is progressing on the right track.

You're Halfway Through the Day… Then You Realize You Forgot to Remove Your Aligners Before Chewing Gum

For many people, chewing gum is almost automatic.

You freshen your breath after lunch, grab a piece before a meeting or chew gum during a long drive without giving it much thought. If you're new to Invisalign treatment, remembering to remove your aligners every single time can take a little getting used to.

Fortunately, realizing your mistake after a few minutes isn't usually an emergency. The important thing is knowing what to do next and checking whether your aligners are still clean, intact and fitting properly.

Building new habits takes time and most Invisalign patients have at least one "I forgot" moment during treatment.

Why Gum and Invisalign Don't Mix

Clear aligners are designed to fit snugly over your teeth so they can apply gentle, controlled pressure throughout your treatment.

Chewing gum can interfere with that in several ways.

The first is gum is sticky. It can adhere to the surface of your aligners and fail to fully come off as it can get caught around the edges of your aligners. Any gum residue, no matter how small, can harbor bacteria and impact the cleanliness of your clear braces during the day.

Secondly, the aligners are subjected to repeated pressure while chewing. They may be constructed from tough plastic, but they're not meant for chewing every day. With time this pressure can cause small distortions that will impact fit accuracy of the aligners.

Last but not least, gum has sweeteners or flavoring with it, that can get stuck between your teeth and aligners. When you don't brush afterwards, those substances stay against your teeth until you put the aligners in back in.

For these reasons, dentists recommend removing your aligners before chewing any type of gum.

What Should You Do If You Accidentally Chewed Gum While Wearing Your Aligners?

Don't panic. One accidental mistake rarely means you'll need a new set of aligners.

Instead, follow these simple steps-

• Remove your aligners carefully.
• Peel away any gum that is stuck to them.
• Rinse them off with cool or lukewarm water.
• Check whether they are cracked, bent or no longer fit properly.

Small Daily Habits that Keep Your Invisalign Care on Track

Successful Invisalign treatment isn't only about wearing new aligners every week or two. It is also about the little habits that you do on a daily basis.

Eating or chewing gum, removing the aligners, and brushing before reinserting them, as well as using them for the recommended amount of time, and storing them safely, instead of a napkin, all lead to better results.

While these habits may seem insignificant on their own, they all contribute to an ideal fit of your aligners and a successful treatment outcome.

If you are consistent in your routine then the experience of using Invisalign braces is likely to go smoother.

Conclusion

Chewing gum while wearing Invisalign aligners may seem harmless but it can create unnecessary cleaning challenges and affect how well your aligners fit. Fortunately, avoiding the problem is simple, remove your aligners before chewing gum and put them back in after you've finished and cleaned your teeth if needed.

At Clove Dental, we're here to help you get the most from your Invisalign treatment. Our team is here to assist you along the way if you have any questions about taking care of your aligners or if you'd like to know more about the clear aligner treatment, we are happy to help you.

FAQs

I chewed gum with my Invisalign aligners for a few minutes. Should I be worried?

Probably not. Take out the aligners, wipe away gum and ensure they fit snugly. If you see cracks, bending or a loose fit, please call your dentist before proceeding with treatment.

Can chewing gum change the shape of Invisalign aligners?

If the aligners are chewed repeatedly, they can put pressure on the aligners and impact their fit over time. That's why it is important to remove your Invisalign braces before you chew gum.

Is it okay to chew gum after I remove my Invisalign aligners?

Yes. After you have removed your aligners, you may chew gum. Rinse the mouth out or brush your teeth (if possible) before placing the aligners back in your mouth to prevent food particles or sugars from getting stuck against your teeth.

What should I do if gum gets stuck inside my aligners?

Use cool water to rinse and gently brush with a soft toothbrush to remove the gum. Do not use hot water to heat the plastic as it can deform. If there is left-over or the aligners are damaged, please contact your dental office.

Besides gum, what else should I avoid while wearing Invisalign aligners?

Aligners should be taken out before drinking anything except plain water, eating food or any other liquid. This minimizes staining, damage and food particles trapped in your Invisalign treatment, keeping it on track.