Chewing Sugar-Free Gum Boosts Your Oral Health


GUM ISN’T ALL ABOUT freshening your breath. While it definitely helps after that garlic pasta you had for lunch, did you know chewing sugarless gum can also prevent cavities and improve your oral health?

Chewing Gum Increases Saliva Flow and Prevents Cavities
According to the American Dental Association, studies show that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after a meal can prevent tooth decay. The act of chewing increases saliva flow in your mouth. The saliva then washes away food and neutralizes acids, cleaning and protecting your teeth from cavity-causing bacteria.

You’ll want to make sure your gum is sugar-free 
While gum that contains sugar also increases saliva flow, the sugar actually feeds the bacteria in your mouth, putting you at greater risk of decay. We definitely don’t want that!

Quick tip: Sugarless gum sweetened with xylitol even reduces the amount of bacteria that stick to your teeth!

Chewing Gum Helps Strengthen Tooth Enamel
Saliva contains necessary calcium and phosphate that strengthens tooth enamel. After a meal, reinforcing your enamel can be especially beneficial in fighting off bacteria and decay.

Look for Sugarless Gum with the ADA Seal
The ADA seal indicates that the gum has been tested and proven to do at least one or all of these three things: reduce plaque acids and cavities, promote re-mineralization of tooth enamel, and reduce gingivitis. If you want a sugarless gum you can trust to boost your oral health, look for the ADA seal.

Don’t Stop Brushing and Flossing
Even though chewing sugar-free gum can aid in keeping your mouth healthy, it should never serve as a substitute for regular brushing and flossing. Your best defense against decay and dental disease is to brush teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste as well as floss once daily!

Caution: Don’t Chew Gum If You Have Jaw Pain
Chewing sugarless gum is great for preventing decay, however, if you have any pain, clicking or popping of your jaw joints gum chewing should be kept to a minimum. Chewing gum just until the flavor is gone is a good general guideline. Any extra chewing can aggravate jaw chewing. In this case using a Xylitol mint can be helpful for decay prevention.

Healthy Habits Make for a Healthy Mouth
Add chewing sugarless gum to your list of mouth-healthy habits! Along with daily brushing and flossing, chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help decrease your risk of cavities and strengthen tooth enamel. Of course, after that garlic pasta, fresher breath is an added bonus!

Keep Your Smile In Shape!

Comments

  1. John TimperlyJune 12, 2019 at 10:34 AM

    Dentist in Edgware visits will also keep teeth clean. With the newest technology and best dentist tools, they can give teeth a thorough cleaning. They use special tools and devices which we're designed to remove tartar and plaque faster. Clean teeth means smiles and confidence.

    ReplyDelete
  2. IndianDentalNetworkAugust 2, 2019 at 3:53 AM

    Found your blog interesting. Its really valuable for Dental tips.
    I appreciate your article.

    If you want to increase your Dental Network,Download the Indian Dental Network App now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MGSeptember 23, 2019 at 2:16 AM

    Useful blog !!
    Dentist near me
    Dental Clinic in Indirapuram
    Dentist in Indirapuram
    google search for dental clinic

    ReplyDelete
  4. Renee YurovskyJuly 12, 2021 at 9:17 PM

    Thanks for taking the time to share this informative post on the benefits of chewing sugar free gum. I enjoyed all the detailed information that you provided in this article. Have a great rest of your day.
    Dentist Center City Philadelphia

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Smoking and Your Oral Health

Image
By now we all know that smoking is bad for our health. It increases the risk for cancer, heart disease, and numerous other problems throughout the body. Your mouth is no exception. With the New Year right around the corner, what better time is there to quit? Hewlett Family Dental  wants to help the cause of moving towards a smoke-free life by providing our community members with some more reasons to quit. How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health One of the commonly overlooked dangers of smoking is how it affects oral health.  The truth is, several oral health problems are directly related to smoking, and continuing to smoke can put you at increased risk for: Gum disease Oral cancer Dry mouth Discolored teeth Bad breath Tips to Quit Smoking is addictive and therefore not easy to quit. Some people even try quitting multiple times before they succeed at never picking up another cigarette. We understand how difficult quitting can be and are here to provide ...
Read more

When To Start Brushing Babies Teeth

Image
Early dental care for children is very important. Although most babies do not have visible teeth for the first six months to one year of their lives, good dental care starts from the very beginning. Baby teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent adult teeth, but neglect of your child’s first teeth may lead to serious health issues. In making sure your child has proper dental care, you will help to safeguard their smile, and also assist them in building a lifetime of good oral care habits. Before Tooth Eruption The first baby teeth start to show up at around six months old and will likely appear in the front of the mouth. But even before they arrive, you need to keep your baby’s mouth clean. Using a clean, warm, moistened cloth or a piece of sterile gauze,   gently wipe your baby’s gums with your index finger. Be thorough, but use light pressure. The goal is to remove any food particles or milk film from their gums. Teething Teething can be frustrating for a ...
Read more

Got Questions? We've got the answers!

Image
Frequently Asked Questions  Hewlett Family Dental has the answers to the most commonly asked dental questions. If you have a question that is not addressed here, let us know! FAQs What causes bad breath? Bad breath is generally a result of dental decay and periodontitis, a disease affecting the gums and bone. Periodontitis occurs when the gums become inflamed and infected, ultimately spreading pockets of plaque and tartar from the gums to the bone that supports the teeth. The teeth may become loose and eventually fall out if left untreated. Periodontitis is treatable, but good oral hygiene is the best method of avoiding this problem. How do I repair a cracked tooth? Teeth can crack or chip for a variety of reasons. Especially if they are subjected to chewing hard foods or biting on an unexpectedly hard object, or if teeth have been subjected to large restorations. You may also experience painful chewing, unsolicited pain or discomfort due to cold air. M...
Read more