If you like to chew gum, you might be happy to hear that chewing sugarless gum can be good for your oral health. It is important to know the facts when it comes to chewing gum, however, because not all gum is created equal. In order to receive the oral health benefits, the gum should be both sugarless and approved by the ADA as is signified on the packaging. Another great benefit of gum that has xylitol added is that it can help prevent cavities as well.
How is Gum Good for you?
Research shows that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after your meal can help to prevent tooth decay. This is possible because of the increase in the production of saliva that gum produces. The more saliva that is in your mouth, the more food residue and bacteria that gets washed away, instead of staying on your teeth and causing tooth decay. In addition, it helps to remove the acids that are on your teeth as a result of eating acidic foods. Too much acid can cause the enamel on your teeth to break down, which is another culprit in tooth decay as well as sensitive teeth.
Brushing is Still Necessary
Even though chewing sugarless gum is good for you, it does not mean that you do not need to brush and floss. You should still be brushing your teeth at least twice per day and flossing at least once. This will help ensure food particles and bacteria that are stuck between your teeth and in hard to reach places are removed, reducing the risk of tooth decay.
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