ISSN 2756-3421
African Journal of Dentistry ISSN 2756-3421 Vol. 12 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Does chewing gum manage orthodontic pain better than sucking sweets?
Y Govender1, N Behardien2, AMP Harris3
1Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Auckland Dental Facility, 5D Browns Rd, Auckland, New Zealand 2102.
2Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow, Cape Town, South Africa.
3Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow, Cape Town, South Africa.
Received 02 May, 2024; Accepted 22 June, 2024 and Published 25 June, 2024
Abstract
Introduction: The chewing of gum has been indicated for the control of orthodontic pain due to its proposed mechanical effect on the periodontal tissue. The literature on this is however scant. The aim of this study was to compare the effect on pain of conventional sugar-free chewing gum with sucking sugar-free sweets in patients with fixed appliances. Method: A double-blind, randomised clinical trial, with 60 participants randomly assigned to two intervention groups, the sugar-free chewing gum group and the sugar‑free sweets group was conducted. Informed consent was obtained and participants with fixed orthodontic appliances were asked to chew gum or to suck sweets at specific time intervals and record their pain scores using a visual analogue scale. Repeated measures ANOVA was used in the analysis. Results: Sixty questionnaires were returned. The mean pain score decreased with time in both groups. Results showed significantly lower mean pain scores in the chewing‑gum group at 48 hours (p<0.001). Conclusion: Both groups indicated a reduction in pain over time. However, at 48 hours, chewing gum was associated with significantly reduced pain compared with the sweet sucking. A more extensive study on the effects of chewing and orthodontic pain could augment the literature in this field.
Keywords: Orthodontic pain, placebo, medicaments, chewing gum, sucking sweets.