At one point or another the majority of people have all chewed gum. Whether it was some Big League Chew with your friends or some classic Bazooka bubble gum, most people associate gum as just another type of candy. But did you know chewing gum can actually be good for you?
Studies have shown that you can help prevent tooth decay by chewing sugarfree gum for 20 minutes after meals. Let’s take a look at why this is.
The act of chewing the sugarfree gum increases the flow of saliva in the mouth. Acid is produced in the mouth when food is broken down by bacteria in plaque on your teeth. The increased salivary flow from chewing sugarfree gum helps neutralize and wash away these potentially harmful acids. If not properly addressed, these acids can break down tooth enamel, creating the conditions for future tooth decay. The increased saliva flow also offers an added benefit of carrying more calcium and phosphate which ultimately strengthens tooth enamel!
The most important thing to remember is that chewing gum is not a substitute for a normal brushing and flossing routine. The American Dental Association (ADA) still recommends brushing twice a day and flossing once a day as the dental hygiene standard. For more information on the values of flossing check out our recent blog post on the topic!
So the next time you finish a meal make sure you have some sugarfree gum handy to do everything you can to keep your teeth in tip-top shape. Check this link for yourself to find an ADA Accepted Chewing Gum. For any further questions talk to your dentist at your next appointment.
From MyDDSOffice.com – Keep Smiling!