Sugar-Free Chewing Gum May improve Oral Health Related QoL After Orthodontic Separators placement: Study

Dr. Shravani Dali

Sugar-Free Chewing Gum May improve Oral Health Related QoL After Orthodontic Separators placement: Study

Written By : Dr. Shravani Dali Published On 2026-03-05T20:30:13+05:30 | Updated On 5 March 2026 8:30 PM IST

Researchers have found in a new research that although sugar-free chewing gum does not significantly reduce orthodontic pain, it may lessen the impact of pain on oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) after separator placement and potentially reduce the need for analgesics.

A study was done to investigate the effectiveness of sugar-free chewing gum on pain reduction in orthodontic patients after placement of separators and initial archwires, and to compare the impact of pain on daily functions between patients using and not using chewing gum. A total of 93 patients were randomized into the intervention group (n = 47, mean age = 22.62 ± 4.73) and the control group (n = 46, mean age = 21.88 ± 5.79). The patients completed a set of questionnaires at three different time points (6 h, 24 h, and 48 h) after the placement of separators and initial archwires. Numerical rating scales (NRS) were used to assess the intensity of pain. The impact on orthodontic pain towards patients’ oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was recorded.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the mean NRS pain scores between the two groups at any time points. However, the intervention group showed higher mean NRS pain scores for both procedures from a clinical perspective. Similarly, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of the impact of orthodontic pain on patients’ OHRQoL. Nonetheless, chewing gum appeared to reduce the impact of orthodontic pain on daily functions following separators placement.

While sugar-free chewing gum may not significantly reduce orthodontic pain, it could help mitigate the pain’s impact on OHRQoL after separators’ placement, potentially reducing the need for analgesics.

Reference:

Poon, P., Othman, S. & Mohd Yusof, Z. Impact of using chewing gum on orthodontic pain relief after separators and initial archwires placement. J Orofac Orthop (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00056-025-00642-6

Keywords:

Sugar-Free, Chewing Gum, improve, Oral Health, Related, QoL, After, Orthodontic, Separators, placement, Study, Poon, P., Othman, S. & Mohd Yusof, Z, Fixed orthodontic appliances, Analgesics, Pain perception, Numerical rating scale, Oral health-related quality of life

Sugar-FreeChewing GumimproveOral HealthRelatedQoLAfterOrthodonticSeparatorsplacementJournal of Orofacial Orthopedics

Source : Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics

Dr. Shravani Dali

Dr. Shravani Dali has completed her BDS from Pravara institute of medical sciences, loni. Following which she extensively worked in the healthcare sector for 2+ years. She has been actively involved in writing blogs in field of health and wellness. Currently she is pursuing her Masters of public health-health administration from Tata institute of social sciences. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.