When I had braces (late in life, which was a trip), even the so-called safe stuff got stuck in every nook and cranny.
That brings back memories. I got braces as an adult too, and honestly, “braces-safe” gum was a joke for me—always ended up with little bits wedged between brackets. Didn’t matter what brand I tried. I remember sitting in meetings trying to discreetly fish out bits of gum with my tongue... not my proudest moments.
Sugar-free mints were my fallback too, but you’re right, they’re not great for dry mouth. Did you ever try those little mouth spray things? I used to keep one in my car, but it always felt like overkill unless I’d just had something super garlicky.
Funny you mention parsley—my grandma swore by it for bad breath after big family dinners. I’ve chewed on it out of desperation, but it just feels like eating the garnish, you know? Not sure if it’s psychological or actually works, but it does seem to take the edge off garlic breath. Still, not exactly convenient if you’re out and about.
I’ve always wondered if anyone’s found a gum that *actually* works with braces and doesn’t turn into a sticky mess. Did your orthodontist ever recommend anything specific, or was it just a “don’t chew gum” situation? Mine was super strict—gum was basically banned in her office.
Now that I’m post-braces, I’ve gone back to xylitol gum (the Spry brand is my go-to), but honestly, half the time I just pop a mint or rinse with water if I’m worried about breath. Curious if you ever found anything better after braces were off? Or did you just stick with mints?
My kid’s in braces right now and the “no gum” rule is basically law at our ortho’s office—she acts like a single stick will cause the apocalypse. We tried those xylitol mints, too, but honestly, they don’t do much for dragon breath after sports practice. Haven’t braved the mouth sprays yet—are they actually helpful or just a weird burst of minty air? I’m tempted, but my son would probably roast me for making him use one.
Haven’t braved the mouth sprays yet—are they actually helpful or just a weird burst of minty air?
We tried one of those sprays after soccer, and honestly, it’s not as goofy as it sounds. It’s like a five-second power-up for your mouth—doesn’t last super long, but it’s better than nothing when you can’t chew gum. My kid rolled his eyes at first but now keeps one in his backpack. Not a miracle fix, but hey, less dragon breath on car rides... I’ll take it.
We’ve used the sprays too, especially when my daughter had her braces on and gum wasn’t an option. They do help a bit, but she says they’re more of a quick fix than anything lasting. Has anyone noticed if certain gums actually help with morning breath, or is it all just temporary?
My son had braces last year and we ran into the same issue—couldn’t use gum at all, so we leaned on sprays and mouthwash. I’m honestly a bit skeptical about gum making a real difference with morning breath, though. Even the sugar-free ones seem to just mask things for a short while. Has anyone tried those gums with xylitol or special ingredients? I keep reading mixed reviews, and I’m a little nervous about him chewing something that might irritate his mouth or braces. Does it actually help, or is it just another quick fix like the sprays?