Chewing gum in one form or another has been around for centuries. The ancient Greeks, the Mayans, and the Native Americans used chewing gum—or natural things such as tree sap which was developed to be used in the same manner as chewing gum.
But there’s different types of chewing gum. Obviously, chewing gum with sugar is bad for our teeth. Essentially, sugary chewing gum is grinding sugars into our teeth, adding a sugary salvia film to the outsides of our teeth, which then leads to a build of bacteria which causes plaque. So, knowing we need a sugar-free gum, here are a few of the reasons why gum chewing can be beneficial.
Chewing gum stimulates our mouths to produce saliva. If you chew after easting, this increase in salivary flow can help to keep the teeth clean. But don’t mistake gum chewing for brushing and flossing. There is no substitute for a good quality oral care routine of brushing well twice daily and flossing once.
Check the label of your chewing gum. Most chewing gums are made of few ingredients that include some type of sweetener—for sugar free gum the sweetener used will be usually artificial, however there are certain brands with organic non-chemical ingredients, as well.
There will be some type of softener used, and oftentimes these are vegetable oils or glycerin. And then most commercial gums will have some flavor that has been added, and possibly even a coloring (there are natural dyes and colorings on the market; the other options are usually chemical, including red and yellow dyes).
Now, chewing gum is not a be-all-end-all, and other things such as drinking water (just plain water, no lemon, nothing added, as anything added may just contribute to excess sugars within the mouth, which then contributes to excess bacteria and the development of plaque). after a meal can be equally, if not more so, beneficial than chewing gum. Also, chewing gum repetitively has been shown to wear down teeth.
If you need to make your next appointment, make sure to call Premier Smile today. Remember to come in for a regular checkup once or twice yearly.