Chewing gum is suitable for dental health if you select a sugarless gum.
Chewing gum is suitable for dental health if you select a sugarless gum. Chewing gum causes your mouth to create more saliva, which helps neutralize and rinse away the acid that develops in your mouth when you break down food. However, gum-chewing sugarless gum is not a substitute for a routine oral care routine of daily tooth brushing and proper flossing with quality dental care products.
Advantages of Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing gum increases salivary volume and flow by stimulating and mechanically acting on oral taste receptors. In particular, chewing sugar-free gum might, when added to a routine home oral care routine of twice daily brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, contribute to minimizing caries risk.
Moreover, increasing saliva volume helps to neutralize and dilute acids made by the bacteria in plaque on teeth. Saliva also contributes proteins to dental surfaces, producing an acquired enamel pellicle that protects against dental erosion. Over time, these acids may damage tooth enamel, possibly resulting in decay for your dental health. If you chew gum after mealtime, you might be protecting your teeth and fostering dental health.
Disadvantages of Chewing Sugar-Free Gum
Even though chewing sugar-free gum can benefit you in some instances, there are some cases in which chewing gum is not recommended. For instance, if you experience any jaw pain, you should limit chewing gum and talk to your dentist regarding the availability of options.
For most people, chewing sugar-free gum can be a great preventive measure when toothbrushing and flossing are impractical. But sugar-free or not, chewing gum shouldn’t replace excellent dental hygiene practices.
Bottom Line
To chew or not to chew, particularly when considering chewing gum for sensitive teeth. The answer can be summed up easily. Sugar-free gum can help your teeth. However, it’s essential to consult with your dentist if you have tooth pain while chewing gum or a sore jaw from chewing your gum. Your dental health will thank you. Contact Annapolis Dental Care at 410-267-0766 and check out our blog for more interesting dental facts!
Transform Your Smile with Annapolis Dental Care
Whether it’s a regular check-up you need or a tooth extracted, your dentist in Annapolis is here to serve! Annapolis Dental Care has the expertise and compassion to work with you on improving your oral health. Your comfort and health are our top priorities, and so we go above and beyond to make our patients happy and give them the highest quality care. Please give us a call at 410-267-0766 or visit us online. For more oral health tips for you and your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! We are always looking for new patients, so if you live in Arnold, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, MD, come on down!