Chewing
sugarless gum does more than just exercise your gums, according to the American
Dental Association You might be surprised to learn how it can help decrease
your risk for tooth decay.
Chewing sugarless gum helps prevent cavities
Research shows chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay. That’s because the act of chewing increases the flow of saliva in your mouth, which helps neutralize and wash away cavity-causing acids and bacteria. Over time, acids can wear away tooth enamel, causing little holes in your teeth.
Be sure to look for chewing gum with theADA
Helps prevent heartburn
Chewing gum can help lessen the symptoms of heartburn. That’s because chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which is an acid buffer. Chewing gum also makes you swallow more often, which pushes acids back out of your esophagus.
So the next time you’re worried about heartburn, try chewing some sugarless gum after you eat.
All chewing gum is not created equal
It’s true that chewing gum for 20 minutes after meals helps reduce your risk for tooth decay, but that’s only if it’ s the sugarless variety.
Chewing gum with sugar also increases saliva, but beware — the sugar also increases chances of decay. Look for chewing gum with theADA
The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs awarded the seal to several gums after finding the physical action of chewing certain sugarless gums for 20 minutes after eating, stimulates saliva flow, which helps prevent cavities by reducing acids and making teeth more resistant to decay.
Question:
Chewing sugarless gum helps prevent cavities
Research shows chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay. That’s because the act of chewing increases the flow of saliva in your mouth, which helps neutralize and wash away cavity-causing acids and bacteria. Over time, acids can wear away tooth enamel, causing little holes in your teeth.
Be sure to look for chewing gum with the
Helps prevent heartburn
Chewing gum can help lessen the symptoms of heartburn. That’s because chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which is an acid buffer. Chewing gum also makes you swallow more often, which pushes acids back out of your esophagus.
So the next time you’re worried about heartburn, try chewing some sugarless gum after you eat.
All chewing gum is not created equal
It’s true that chewing gum for 20 minutes after meals helps reduce your risk for tooth decay, but that’s only if it’ s the sugarless variety.
Chewing gum with sugar also increases saliva, but beware — the sugar also increases chances of decay. Look for chewing gum with the
The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs awarded the seal to several gums after finding the physical action of chewing certain sugarless gums for 20 minutes after eating, stimulates saliva flow, which helps prevent cavities by reducing acids and making teeth more resistant to decay.
Question:
If I chew sugarless gum after a meal,
do I still have to brush and floss?
Answer:
Absolutely. Answer:
Don’t let chewing sugarless gum replace brushing and flossing. It’s not a substitute. The
Along with chewing sugarless gum, you can help prevent tooth decay by following these other tips: Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily.
Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking. Check with your West Michigan District DentalSociety dentist about the use of supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth, and about use of dental sealants (a plastic protective coating) applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay.
Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral examinations.
So the next time you reach for that package of chewing gum, make sure it’ s sugarless and has the ADA seal.
Reference: West Michigan District Dental
