Hewlett Family Dental Blog

When you think about gum, you may think that your dentist wouldn’t like you chewing it. However, here we’re going to discuss how a certain type of gum is not bad for your teeth, but is actually beneficial. Read on to discover which kind of gum is safe for your oral health! Sugar vs. Sugar-Free Chewing gum is only good for your teeth if it’s sugarless. Do not chew gum that contains sugar or you will be harming your teeth by allowing the sugar to linger in your mouth. This sugar is then eaten by your oral bacteria, which produce acidic byproducts that will weaken your tooth enamel. And weak tooth enamel is more prone to tooth decay, cavities, and sensitivity. Can Sugar-Free Gum Help Clean Your Teeth? Studies have found that when you chew sugarless gum for at least 20 minutes after you’ve eaten, the gum can help prevent cavities. This is because as you chew the sugarless gum, it removes food particles from the surface of your teeth, which, if left there, can be turned int...

If you’re interested in having a smile that is white and bright, you may be considering getting your teeth professionally whitened. And you might also be wondering how exactly teeth whitening works. What's the Science Behind Teeth Whitening? Over the years, your teeth can become discolored by things such as poor dental hygiene, teeth grinding, tobacco, and dark-colored drinks like coffee, red wine, and soda. As you age and consume foods and beverages that are sugary or acidic, your enamel (the outer layer of teeth) weakens and thins, which allows your dentin (the underlying yellow layer of teeth) to show through. Teeth whitening agents can solve your discoloration woes by either removing surface stains from the hard shell enamel or by changing the color of the dentin. Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives that help remove surface stains from enamel. But to change the color of dentin and achieve a more dramatic result, your smile will require bleach-based whiteners...