215-660-3636 The surprising truth is that yes, some types of chewing gum can actually prevent cavities rather than cause them. It is important to note, however, that only certain types of gum will help and not hinder the pursuit of a cleaner, healthier mouth. If you’re searching for a way to clean your mouth after meals without constantly brushing, the answer may be sugarless gum.
Sugarless gum, which can be identified by the ADA seal to certify legitimacy, can actually be good for your teeth. Because chewing gum stimulates saliva, chewing gum after meals can help to wash away excess food particles, bacteria, and plaque. This can help keep your mouth cleaner, and may also help prevent cavities. Increased saliva flow may also strengthen your tool enamel, since saliva carries calcium and phosphate.
While it’s true that chewing gum of any kind will stimulate saliva production, it isn’t beneficial to chew gum that contains sugar. While the produced saliva may wash away a little more bacteria than normal, the sugar in the gum will just build it back up, and may cause more bacteria to form than was there before.
If you’re looking for a simple way to keep your mouth clean and healthy after meals, sugarless gum can help prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay. Chewing sugarless gum is not a replacement for brushing or flossing, but it has excellent potential as an addition to your daily oral health routine.
For questions, concerns, or recommendations concerning your oral health, feel free to contact our office, Chalfont Dentistry, to schedule an appointment with our dentist, Dr. Sindhu Gundabathula. Our Chalfont, Pennsylvania, office can be reached at 215-660-3636.