Chewing a piece of gum after a meal can help give your mouth a refreshing sensation, but it turns out that it can also help protect your teeth.
As we’ve discussed in other blogs, chewing gum can help to increase the amount of saliva that is produced in your mouth. Saliva is full of bacteria fighting properties and helps to break down small food particles that may remain in your mouth after a meal. Increased saliva production helps to prevent against the buildup of plaque deposits that can break down your teeth. So by increasing saliva production, chewing gum after a meal can help keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Choosing The Right Gum To Chew
When it comes to picking out the right gum to chew after a meal, there are two things that you’ll want to keep in mind:
- Choose A Sugarless Option – Both sugar gum and sugar-free gum increase saliva flow, but gum with sugar in it can lead to the production of decay-causing acids. Stick with a sugar-free option to best protect your teeth.
- Choose an ADA Approved Gum – Secondly, look for the American Dental Association’s seal of approval when picking out a pack of gum. If you see the gum, you know that it’s a sugar-free option, and it’s also low on sugar alternatives like aspartame, xylitol or sorbitol, all which are only a slight improvement over gum with real sugar.
Also, remember that chewing gum is not a substitute for brushing, flossing or a good dental hygiene plan. Chewing sugar-free gum can enhance a care plan, but it shouldn’t be used in place of more effective options like brushing or flossing. Consider throwing in a piece of gum after lunch, but still set time aside to brush your teeth in the morning and at night.
Finally, make sure that you are having regular dental checkups with a professional in your area, like Dr. Brooks. A comprehensive dental hygiene plan involves regular trips to the dentist to look for potential problems and to ensure everything appears healthy. If you have questions about picking out the best chewing gum for your situation, or if you want to learn other ways to spur saliva production to keep your teeth healthy, bring these questions up to your dentist. We’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. For more information or to set up an appointment with Dr. Brooks, reach out to his office today.
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