How to Remove Gum From Dental Work
Chewing gum and dental work don't often go hand in hand; gum can wind up stuck to your braces, bridgework or retainer, and it can be difficult to remove. Stuck-on gum can cause you to probe with your tongue, or it can pull your dental work apart. Removing gum from your dental work can be a real chore, but it is necessary.
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Things You'll Need
- Baking soda and peroxide toothpaste
- Interdental toothbrush
- Toothpick
- Mouthwash
- Goo Gone
Instructions
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Brush your teeth as you regularly would, using a baking soda and peroxide toothpaste. The baking soda will help break down gum, dislodging it from dental work.
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Brush your braces individually with an interdental brush, which you can get from your orthodontist to deep-clean your braces of stuck-on debris like gum. Gently brush the bristles around your braces, and inspect them with a mirror to make sure you have all the gum out.
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Probe a toothpick into openings in dental work that harbor stuck gum. Be careful when using a toothpick so that you don't loosen dental work or break the toothpick off inside it.
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4
Rinse your mouth vigorously by swishing mouthwash around in your mouth. Sometimes the swishing movement of the liquid can help dislodge stuck-on gum and food particles.
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Cool down your mouth with cold water. You can chill the water further with ice for 10 minutes; cold water will harden the gum, solidifying it for easier removal.
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Apply Goo Gone to your retainer after removing it from your mouth, and rub the gum off with a soft, cotton rag. Goo Gone will help break up the gum so it's easier to remove. Rinse your retainer thoroughly and soak it in mouthwash before returning it to your mouth.
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Tips & Warnings
Check with your dentist or orthodontist before chewing gum. If you are allowed to chew gum, the dentist can recommend types of gum that won't stick to your dental work.
Never use Goo Gone or any other chemicals on the dental work in your mouth, because you could poison yourself. Use it only on removable dental work.
