Yes, regular chewing gum habits can potentially move your teeth by affecting bite alignment over time.
Chewing gum on a regular basis, especially as a long-term habit, involves repetitive forces on the jaw and teeth. While the direct, immediate force of chewing gum is not enough to shift teeth significantly like orthodontic treatment, the cumulative effect can lead to changes in how your teeth fit together, known as your bite alignment.
According to dental information, engaging in regular gum chewing as a habit can lead to:
- Excessive wear on the tooth enamel.
- Changes in your bite alignment.
Specifically, the reference states that with habitual gum chewing:
- The upper molars may spread apart gradually.
- The lower molars begin to gradually drift backward leading to an overbite.
These gradual shifts are not the same as the controlled movement achieved through braces or aligners, but they represent a change in the natural position and alignment of teeth due to consistent mechanical action.
Consider the potential impacts summarized below:
- Enamel Wear: The friction from chewing can contribute to enamel wear over time.
- Bite Alteration: The repeated stress on certain teeth can subtly change their position.
- Specific Molar Movement: As noted, upper molars can spread, and lower molars can move backward.
While occasional gum chewing is generally considered safe, developing it into a frequent, long-term habit introduces mechanical forces that can influence dental structure and alignment over years.
