Growing up, you must have heard that candy is not good for your teeth. It is true because candy carries excess sugar, which leads to dental health issues. Yet, there is an exception when it is sugar-free chewing gum. Read on to learn why it’s okay to chew gum regularly.

Surprising Benefits of Chewing Gum

Surprising Benefits of Chewing Gum

Benefits of Chewing Gum for Teeth and Dental Health

Keeping your teeth healthy is the ultimate goal for dentists and patients alike. Here are some of the oral health benefits of chewing gum   :

Preventing tooth decay

After meals, the food particles left in the mouth or stuck on teeth can lead to decay. This is because the debris promotes the growth of bacteria and plaque on teeth. Chewing a piece of sugar-free gum after meals helps remove the particles and bacteria.

Increasing saliva production and flow

Saliva washes away harmful bacteria and acids found in the mouth. For example, more saliva is produced and flows throughout the mouth when you chew gum. It eliminates acids and bacteria, resulting in healthier gums and teeth.

Combating bad breath

Many people suffer from bad breath or halitosis. It is usually due to poor oral hygiene, dry mouth condition, gum disease, or medications. You can also have bad breath after eating food with spices, garlic, or onions. Flavored chewing gum can improve your breath by masking the odor. In addition, if you have dry mouth, it can increase saliva production to eliminate bad breath.

Whitening teeth

You can obtain whiter teeth by chewing teeth whitening gum. The gum removes food particles from pigmented foods and drinks that stain teeth. In addition, the teeth whitening components in the gum coat the teeth to prevent surface discoloration.

Temporary alternative to brushing

Chewing gum can help you clean your teeth and gums if you cannot brush your teeth at some point. The gum will clear away debris, giving you fresher breath until you can clean your teeth properly. However, remember that chewing gum must not replace your routine oral care. It is a temporary solution.

Chewing gum cannot offer your teeth maximum protection against dental health issues. So even though you chew that wad of gum frequently, you should still maintain daily proper oral hygiene. It prevents cavities, teeth discoloration and gingivitis, and tooth loss.

In addition, you must attend routine dental exams and cleanings. The dentist will provide oral health care to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful. Contact us to make an appointment. You can request an appointment from this website and text or call us 602-864-7400.