Haha, I hear you on the wallet needing braces too—those prices for “special” gum are wild. I got sucked into the hype at first, thinking it’d be worth the extra cash just to avoid another embarrassing “uh, is that minty blue stuff stuck in your teeth?” moment in class. Honestly though, after a few months of trying all the “ortho-approved” brands, I started to wonder if it was just clever marketing and fancy packaging. Some of those gums taste like sadness and cost like gold.
I switched to sugar-free Trident (the regular kind, not anything super sticky) after my ortho said it was fine in moderation. Way cheaper, and I haven’t had any issues with it getting stuck or messing with my wires. I guess everyone’s mouth is a little different, but for me, it’s been totally manageable. Plus, you can buy those big packs at discount stores and stash them everywhere—backpack, car, desk drawer... you get the picture.
If you’re worried about breath but don’t want to spend a fortune or risk another “strip incident,” maybe try rinsing with water more often or carrying a tiny bottle of mouthwash? Not as fun as gum, but it helps in a pinch. And hey, anyone who says braces aren’t a money pit is probably lying or hasn’t had to buy those little wax packets every month.
Don’t let the price tags stress you out too much. There are ways around it if you’re willing to experiment a bit—and honestly, nobody needs to go broke just for fresher breath.
Some of those gums taste like sadness and cost like gold.
That line cracked me up—so true. I’ve seen so many patients frustrated with the “special” brands, and honestly, most sugar-free options are fine if you’re careful. Trident’s a solid pick. Have you noticed any difference in breath freshness between flavors? Sometimes the really strong mint ones can be a bit much, but the milder ones don’t always do the trick for everyone. Curious what’s worked best for you.
Funny you mention the strong mint flavors—I tried one of those “intense” peppermint gums a while back and it felt like I’d just gargled mouthwash straight from the bottle. My eyes watered, but I’ll admit, it did kill the garlic breath after lunch. On the flip side, some of the fruit flavors barely make a dent, even if they taste better. Trident’s cinnamon used to be my go-to for years, but lately I’ve noticed it doesn’t last as long as it used to… maybe they changed the formula?
I’ve also dabbled in those pricier “therapeutic” gums that claim to neutralize odors instead of just masking them. Honestly? Didn’t notice much difference except for a lighter wallet. Has anyone else found a gum that actually tackles dry mouth too? That’s been my bigger issue as I’ve gotten older—sometimes even the best gum just isn’t enough if your mouth is bone dry.
I hear you on the dry mouth thing—regular gum never seems to cut it for me either. I’ve tried a few xylitol-based brands that are supposed to help, like Spry or Biotène, but honestly, they only work while you’re actively chewing. Once the flavor’s gone, my mouth feels just as dry. Sipping water helps more, but I keep gum around for meetings when I can’t drink much. Haven’t found one that really solves the problem long-term.
Yeah, I get that—most gums just mask things for a bit and then it’s back to square one. I’ve bounced between Spry, Biotène, and even some of those “dentist recommended” ones, but honestly, none of them last long for me either. Sometimes I’ll use those little mouth spray things (like TheraBreath) if I know I can’t sip water, but even that feels like a temporary fix. The only time my mouth actually felt normal was when I tried those dry mouth lozenges from the pharmacy, but they’re kind of awkward to use in meetings. Anyone else notice that gum sometimes makes your mouth feel drier after a while? Or is that just me…