You probably know that chewing gum is a great way to keep your mouth busy and prevent boredom. But did you know that it can also help prevent cavities? Chewing sugar-free gum increases saliva flow, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. It also helps neutralize the acid in the mouth. This blog post will discuss the benefits of chewing gum and how it can help protect your teeth.
1. Chewing gum increases saliva flow
Saliva helps wash food particles and bacteria away from your teeth. Also, minerals in the toothpaste are washed away because of their alkalinity when mixed with acid secretions in saliva. This creates a friendly environment for bacteria to thrive in (acidic), leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
Chewing sugar-free gum increases the production of saliva, which has a neutral pH. This helps balance out the acidity in the mouth and prevents damage to teeth and gums. However, you should still brush and floss regularly and take other steps to reduce your risk for dental disease!
2. Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal helps prevent tooth decay and makes you less likely to grab that candy bar or bag of chips for a quick and unhealthy snack!
There are many different kinds of sugar-free gum on the market: natural gums, synthetic gums, hard gums, soft gums, sugar-free gums, and many different flavors. Sugar-free gum is a great option for people with diabetes because it not only helps prevent cavities but acts as a form of insulin delivery to the body! Insulin has been shown to help protect teeth from bacteria that cause cavities.
3. Chewing sugar-free gum daily after lunch helps prevent tartar buildup
Did you know that sugar-free chewing gum is one of the best ways to remove tartar from your teeth? The act of chewing causes the gum to rub against teeth, which removes tartar more effectively than brushing or mouthwash. Studies show that 2-3 times a week for 5 minutes per session is enough to prevent tartar buildup. However, you should still brush and floss your teeth daily!
Sugar-free gum after meals also helps reduce tooth decay by washing away bacteria that continually lay on the teeth surface. Also, chewing gum stimulates saliva, which has an alkaline pH (neutral) which helps balance the acidic environment in your mouth created by bacteria. This condition is friendly for bacteria to thrive (acidic), leading to tooth decay and gum disease. It has even been shown that chewing sugar-free gums containing xylitol can kill cavity-causing bacterial on contact!
4. Chewing gum strengthens the teeth’s enamel
Studies have shown that chewing gum that contains xylitol can kill cavity-causing bacteria on contact! Also, chewing sugar-free gum helps strengthen the enamel surrounding your teeth by making them less susceptible to bacterial acids, which cause cavities. Chewing increases saliva production, which also helps provide your teeth with natural fluoride that strengthens tooth enamel. The chewing action does not allow food to become trapped in the grooves of teeth, providing a good brushing motion for clean teeth!