Can I Chew Gum After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Solid foods are harmful after wisdom teeth removal because chewing solid or crunchy food can irritate the gum wounds and lead to several complications.
Since chewing gum can be hard or sticky, people are usually confused about whether they can chew gum after wisdom teeth removal. Gum and other foods require continuous chewing from your teeth, which may harm the extraction site.
In this blog post, we’ll try to clear some of the common misconceptions regarding this topic.
Can I chew gum after wisdom teeth removal?
Unfortunately, you have to stop chewing gum after wisdom teeth extraction for at least 7 – 10 days. This is to protect wounds and blood clots reappearing on the incisions, which may create a suction force that pulls the clot right out, preventing healing.
It is best to wait until the wounds completely heal before you start chewing gum again.
Why shouldn’t you chew gum after wisdom teeth removal?
Firstly, different types of chewing gums (usually solid) are prohibited after extraction.
Secondly, chewing requires continuous movements from teeth which can disturb the surgery site.
Third, sticky foods can quickly become lodged in incisions in the tooth, which as a result, may interfere with recovery.
What’s more, if not removed properly, they may cause several dental complications.
I mistakenly chewed gum after surgery; what do I do?
If you chewed gum on the extraction site, you need to follow the points below:
- Rinse your mouth with a slight force, but don’t spit forcefully.
- Don’t use a toothpick, toothbrush, or finger to remove gum from the tooth hole.
- Visit your dentist if the gum or any food has stuck into the surgery site.
Does chewing gum help cure wisdom teeth pain?
Although chewing gum is harmful for the first week after teeth extraction, it is considered one of the best mouth exercises!
You can chew bubble gum to exercise your jaw and teeth.
However, you still can’t treat wisdom teeth pain with it.
When can I chew on the same side of tooth extraction?
The question is similar to, “Can I chew gum after wisdom teeth removal?”
As mentioned above, you need to wait for at least a week (or more in some cases) to start chewing gum again.
You should also use the other side of your mouth to chew food if you’ve recently undergone wisdom teeth removal surgery.
How long do you have to wait to chew food after wisdom teeth?
It depends on what you are eating because every food is different. Some are soft and require less chewing effort, while some are hard and crunchy, causing difficulty while chewing them.
The duration you need to avoid foods like pizza, burger, rice, French fries varies accordingly.
But, it is always good to wait for a few days before you start chewing any solid food normally from the extraction site.
Does chewing gum hurt your teeth?
Some people often feel pain in their teeth after chewing gum, while some experience some irritation in their jaw after chewing gum more than usual.
And that’s because chewing gum can sometimes cause problems to the teeth and other parts of the mouth if you chew it too much.
Here are a couple of complications that may take place after chewing gum:
Tooth decay
Since most bubble gums are sugary, they may produce acid in the mouth, leading to tooth decay. Acid harms the tooth enamel, eroding it, resulting in cavities.
If you chew sugary gum, ensure that you brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth with some water to clear out all the excess acid.
Wear down your teeth
The continuous chewing motion can wear your teeth down. Just like grinding, chewing gum can also have an impact over time.
The main problem is that teeth with worn enamel cannot protect themselves against tooth decay.
What are some oral benefits of chewing gum?
Chewing gums are not always bad for your oral health, as they are only harmful to you when you overuse them and don’t maintain proper oral hygiene.
There are also several benefits of chewing gum as well:
Chewing gum cleans your teeth
You’re probably confused about this statement since chewing gum has been linked to cavities, but if you chew non-sugary gum after a meal, it can stimulate your saliva production.
When you eat food, the leftover particles of food are attacked by the bacteria in plaque, producing the acids that lead to tooth decay. But worry not, the saliva produced by chewing gum can help wash these acids away!
Reduces heartburn
Heartburn or acid reflux is a painful condition where the acid produced by the stomach moves up towards the oesophagus. If you have ever experienced heartburn, you know it isn’t easy to cure.
But worry not, because chewing gum provides a way to heal this frustrating condition. That helps because when you chew gum, you produce more saliva, which neutralises the acidity in your mouth, reducing chances of heartburn. [alert type=”warning” icon-size=”normal”]However, keep in mind that some people feel bloated after chewing gum, so it may not be helpful for some individuals in treating heartburn symptoms.[/alert]
Refreshes the mouth
Chewing gum is one of the best ways to fight bad breath and refresh your mouth. As mentioned earlier, chewing gum reduces the number of bacteria in the mouth so that your breath smells better.
So, it is good to take mint-flavored chewing gums as a refreshment.
Mouth exercises
You may not know this, but your mouth needs physical exercise as well, which you can do by chewing bubble gum. When you chew, your mouth muscles, teeth, and jaws get some movement, and it reduces stiffness; hence, it is good to use your chewing powers to exercise your mouth and keep it active.
The Bottom Line
Although chewing gum is usually a healthy activity, you should avoid it after wisdom teeth removal. The reason behind this is to let your extraction site heal sooner so that you can start taking other foods and bubble gum again soon.
Therefore, it is always better to wait for a few days before you start chewing gum and also follow other necessary precautions mentioned above.
