05 Aug Chewing Gum: Help Combat Dry Mouth and Tooth Decay
Believe it or not chewing gum can help to prevent the onset of tooth decay. Now, we’re not talking about the kind of chewing gum loaded with sugars, or the type of gum with the small hard flavor crystals. Sugarless gum only. And if you want to choose the best kind of gum, then look for the one that has the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Approval on its packaging. Yes, for those naysayers, gum with sugar does also increase the production of saliva, but the problem with a gum made from sugar is that the sugar is used by the plaque bacteria to produce acids that can decay the teeth.
Gum works to ward off dry mouth, because it keeps the salivary glands in function. The increase in saliva also cleans the surfaces of the teeth, removing debris. The increase in saliva also brings calcium and phosphate to the teeth, and this will strengthen the tooth enamel (Enamel, remember, is the hard-outer coating on the surface of teeth).
The one thing to remember, however, is that chewing sugar free gum will not replace a quality oral care routine. You should only use sugar free gum after meals, or at snacking times, times when it’s impossible to properly clean the teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You should continue to brush your teeth twice daily, and work the brush over all the surfaces of the teeth, front and back, and brush for at least two minutes. Flossing it equally important and should be completed each and every day. Your teeth will continue to develop plaque every day, and the development of plaque will progress into full-blown gum disease if left uncleaned. And always remember to visit your dentist at Silver Creek Dental for regular checkups and cleanings. It’s an important component to quality holistic dental care. You need each component of dental care to build a healthy mouth, and the helpful tips, such as how chewing sugar free gum will ward off tooth decay, are not meant as a substitute for quality care.
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