Chewing gum has been a common pastime for thousands of years. From birch bark tar to now thin little slices of goodness in foil, gum has come a long way to make your taste buds happy and keep your breath fresh. But those aren’t the only benefits! Did you know that chewing sugar-free gum can help protect your teeth from cavities and keep your mouth healthy? Read on to discover four of its benefits to your dental health.
#1: Gum Helps Clean Your Teeth
After you eat, chewing gum helps remove food particles that are stuck between your pearly whites, which reduces your risk of building plaque and developing cavities. While sugarless gum shouldn’t replace regular brushing or flossing, it’s a helpful addition to your dental routine because it helps to clean the surfaces of your teeth.
#2: Gum Increases Your Saliva Production
Chewing gum increases saliva production by activating both mechanical and taste receptors. In other words, gum makes you drool. Why is this helpful to your oral health? Saliva is important because it neutralizes harmful acids in your mouth that soften your enamel and lead to tooth decay. It also rinses over your teeth constantly to wash away plaque and bacteria before they can cause tooth decay. The more saliva you have in your mouth, the harder time bad particles have sticking to your teeth.
#3: Xylitol Doesn’t Negatively Impact Your Smile
Sugar-free gum usually uses an artificial sweetener called “xylitol.” This ingredient helps reduce cavity-causing particles in your mouth. It doesn’t fuel the growth of bacteria in the same way sugar does, but you still get the delicious, sweet flavor. It is a safer option for your smile and tastes just as delicious as the sugary varieties.
#4: Some Chewing Gums Strengthen Tooth Enamel
There is an ingredient that some gum manufacturers are beginning to add to their products. It is known as phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). The more common name for it is Recaldent. This ingredient is said to remineralize and harden your tooth enamel by delivering calcium and phosphate to it. This makes the teeth stronger and prevents tooth decay. You can research and find a gum with this ingredient for an added boost to your oral health.
Should You Chew Gum Regularly?
For most people, chewing sugarless gum is a good preventive measure to take in addition to your regular dental routine of brushing and flossing. However, it’s not recommended for everyone. If you have any type of jaw pain or temporomandibular joint dysfunction symptoms (TMD), chewing gum can aggravate the existing problem further, so this should be avoided. Visit your local doctor if your pain persists.
Chewing gum is not only a delicious pastime but can also be beneficial for your dental health. Continue to stick to great oral habits and you will reap the benefits for years to come!
About the Practice
Amaze Dental is eager to help keep your smile beautiful and cavity-free through the expertise of their two dentists. They offer a wide range of services, including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency care. By using advanced dental technology, such as an early cavity detection system, they can not only help you prevent tooth decay but make you aware of which areas in your mouth to work on in your personal oral hygiene routine. To schedule an appointment, contact them through their website or call (972) 230-1100.