Chewing gum can cause positive or negative impacts on your oral health. It depends on the type of chewing gum you put in your mouth. For instance, chewing sugary gums can harm your teeth and gums. Most chewing gums contain sweeteners that feed bacteria in the mouth. This can, in turn, lead to enamel erosion, tooth decay, or gum diseases. Nevertheless, sugar-free chewing gum can improve your oral health. Keep reading to learn how sugarless chewing gum can benefit your dental health.
Increase saliva flow
Saliva plays a huge role in the mouth. A dry mouth can increase the number of bacteria in the mouth, which can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. You may also experience difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing. Luckily, you can increase the flow of saliva by chewing a piece of sugar-free gum. When you have enough saliva in your mouth, it will help to wash away harmful bacteria and food particles. With this, you'll enjoy healthy gums and teeth.
Freshen your breath
Everyone is likely to experience bad breath at some point in their lives. This may result from foods such as spices, garlic, and onions.
Bad breath can also indicate the presence of a dry mouth or gum disease. While chewing gums won't treat these oral issues, it will help to mask the odor. Besides, since it stimulates saliva production, it will leave your mouth clean and fresh.
Decreases the risk of cavities
As you know, sugar-free chewing gum triggers saliva production. Enough saliva in the mouth is the mouth's first line of defense against oral issues such as cavities. Saliva helps to break down acids and sugar, and wash away food particles, thus, leaving your mouth clean. In this case, chewing sugarless gum after a meal is vital for your dental health. However, chewing gum should not replace regular brushing and flossing.
Do you want to learn more ways to improve your dental health? Schedule an appointment with one of our professional dentists.
Our Blog | Water’s Edge Dental | Boise, ID dentist Water's Edge Dental has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Water's Edge Dental, 6657 N. Glenwood Street, Boise, ID 83714-1925 • (208) 391-8554 • watersedgedentalboise.com • 9/11/2024 • Associated Words: dentist Boise ID •
Chewing gum can cause positive or negative impacts on your oral health. It depends on the type of chewing gum you put in your mouth. For instance, chewing sugary gums can harm your teeth and gums. Most chewing gums contain sweeteners that feed bacteria in the mouth. This can, in turn, lead to enamel erosion, tooth decay, or gum diseases. Nevertheless, sugar-free chewing gum can improve your oral health. Keep reading to learn how sugarless chewing gum can benefit your dental health.