If you have recently taken up clear aligner orthodontic treatment, you would have received something that looks like a tampon or nose plug. This device is known as chewies.
Chewies are small spongy cylindrical devices, about the width of a straw, that are used when you wear your aligners.
What is the purpose of chewies?
Chewies help to ensure that your clear aligners like Invisalign or Angel Aligner seat on your teeth well, eliminating any gaps between your teeth and the aligners.
As each set of aligners is manufactured to move your teeth in a small but different position, there is a natural gap between your teeth (in their current and original position) and the aligners (the desired position).
The chewies help to eliminate these gaps, and ensure that your aligners fit snugly on your teeth, enabling them to grip on and guide your teeth into the desired position. In short, chewies help to ensure that your teeth are actually moving according to the treatment plan set by your dentist or orthodontist!
Chewies do not cause any damage to your teeth. If your teeth are feeling sore or sensitive, it is more likely that it is from the tooth movement caused by the aligners. Your teeth may feel sore while you are biting the chewies because you are putting more pressure on that particular tooth, not because the chewies are harmful to your teeth or your gums.
Generally, chewies are reusable. You can wash them after each use with mild soap and water and then reuse them before they lose their elasticity.
However, if you notice that there is wear and tear, and they just are not serving their purpose anymore, please discard them and get a new set!
How do you use chewies?
It is really simple. Just put on your aligners, place the chewies between your upper and lower teeth and bite down on them firmly. Bite from left to right, right to left, front to back, back to front. Bite down hard at each spot, and hold it there for a few seconds, before moving on to the next spot.
The amount of force you should be using to bite your chewy is as follows – imagine that you are a dog and someone is trying to yank the chewy out of your mouth. It shouldn’t come out.
It is just like chewing on food – evenly across every tooth, and in slow motion.
Some patients may like to use their fingers to press down on their aligners, or just bite down hard while wearing their aligners to ensure a good seating, but I would generally recommend using chewies instead. I find that it is more effective in eliminating the aligner-tooth air gap more effectively.
Should you use chewies everyday?
It is best to follow the advice of your dentist or orthodontist.
Generally, besides wearing your clear aligners for at least 22 hours each day, you should at least be using your chewies for the first 3-5 days of each new aligner. The chewies should be used for at least 5 minutes, 2 times a day.
These first few days are crucial for your teeth to move into the next position. Using chewies eliminates any gaps between your teeth and the clear aligners, which helps with the progression of your treatment plan.
If you notice that there are gaps between your teeth and the aligners, it could mean that your teeth are off-track, and you might want to bite the chewies more!
Each time you put on your aligners, it is good to do a visual check to ensure that there are no air gaps between the aligners and your teeth, and biting chewies is a good way to ensure that your aligners are seated snugly on your teeth!
Dr Amanda Koh
https://kohedental.comDr Amanda Koh is the Founder and Managing Director of kohe™ Dental. She is also known as The Invisalign Dentist.She has a special interest in helping patients achieve their ideal smile outcomes with clear aligners like Invisalign and Angel Aligner and braces.