Had my braces tightened yesterday, and as usual, today my teeth feel like they're staging a rebellion. Anyway, while I was sitting there trying not to drool all over myself (you know how it is), the orthodontist casually mentioned that chewing sugar-free gum after adjustments can actually help ease the soreness. Apparently, it increases blood flow around your gums and teeth, which helps reduce inflammation or something. I always thought gum was a big no-no with braces, but turns out sugar-free is fine in moderation.
Honestly, I'm skeptical but also kinda curious if anyone else has heard this or tried it themselves. Seems counterintuitive to chew when your mouth feels like it's been punched by tiny elves overnight, lol.
I was just as skeptical when my ortho suggested it too, but honestly, sugar-free gum did help me a bit after adjustments. At first, chewing felt kinda weird and uncomfortable, but after a few minutes, it really seemed to ease the ache. I wouldn't go crazy with it, just chew gently for short periods. Might be worth a cautious try next time—anything beats that feeling of tiny elves punching your teeth, lol.
Haha, tiny elves punching your teeth is painfully accurate... I never tried gum myself, always worried it'd get stuck or something. Did anyone's ortho specifically warn against gum, or is that just an old-school braces myth?
My ortho never explicitly said gum was off-limits, but she did give me that skeptical eyebrow raise when I asked about it, haha. Honestly, I tried sugar-free gum once or twice anyway—didn't get stuck exactly, but cleaning it out of the brackets wasn't fun either. Felt like I spent forever picking tiny bits out with floss and toothpicks afterward... so maybe it's not a total myth, just depends how patient you're willing to be afterwards?
