The Pleasures and Benefits of Chewing Gum

There have been recent discoveries proving that chewing sugarless gum provides oral health benefits. Over 100,000 tons of gum is being consumed yearly, making it one of the world's most common habits. Various studies revealed that gum chewing positively affects dental hygiene and dental health, preventing dental conditions from possibly occurring. Your dentist in Knoxville TN probably knows about the benefits associated with chewing gum; a few are listed below.

Remineralization

Chewing a sugarless gum increases the production of saliva, effectively clearing carbohydrates in the mouth. Stimulated saliva is found to have higher levels of remineralizing ions and bicarbonate, which serves to shield acids. After a meal, bacteria left on the mouth turns to acid and sits on the teeth, causing demineralization. Saliva has the ability to wash these away, remineralizing the teeth and saving the enamel from demineralization.

Prevention of Caries

Dental caries, also known as cavities, can be prevented by chewing gum. Your Knoxville dentist may advise chewing gum after you just got a few teeth fillings. However, chewing gum, particular the sugarless kind, actually decreases the chances of getting teeth cavities.

This is possible because the saliva produced by chewing gum neutralizes acids and washes them away especially after meals, as mentioned earlier. Tooth brushing is one effective way to wash out the acids, but if you are one who is constantly on the go, chewing gum can be an immediate alternative. When these acids are neglected, they can break down the teeth enamel and cause decay. Chewing gum can help prevent this from happening.

Apart from regularly brushing your teeth and flossing, you can achieve good dental health by simply popping a sugarless gum in your mouth after meals. Meanwhile, it is important that the gum is sugar-free, as a sugar-filled one may cause more harm. The gum you choose should have a seal of the American Dental Association and should contain ingredients like xylitol. All chewing gums with the ADA seal are all guaranteed to be sugarless and contain substitute sweeteners like aspartame and sorbitol.

Keep a sugarless gum in your handy especially if you are constantly on the move. Visit a dentist Knoxville TN has and ask more about gum chewing and its oral health benefits. Still, even with its many advantages, solely chewing gum should never serve as a substitute for regular brushing, cleaning, and rinsing. Don't forget to also visit your dentist regularly to monitor your overall dental health.