What are Chewies?
New aligners may not fit tightly when first placed. Using Chewies can eliminate gaps between the teeth and the aligner as well as help teeth to move more effectively. Chewies are a soft spongy plastic like roll, similar to a cotton roll, but made from a material called Styrene Copolymer.
Instructions for Use
- To use a Chewie, just place it between your teeth and bite down. Make sure you bite and hold for at least 5 seconds before releasing. Then move it from one end of your mouth to the other, continuing to bite up and down until you have bitten on it with all your teeth.
- Keep repeating the process for 5 to 10 minutes to ensure your aligners are well-seated against your teeth. Do this exercise at least twice a day (morning and at night).
- If you feel that there is an area or tooth that is not fitting the trays as well as others, do additional Chewie exercises on those specific areas. Use Chewies every time you change to a new set of aligners as they will help the aligners seat well on your teeth and achieve the best possible tooth movement.
- You can wash Chewies after each use with mild soap and water and then re-use them several times before they lose their elasticity.