Who knew something as simple and readily available as chewing gum could offer a surprising array of benefits for Oral Health? It’s true! While we all know sugar-containing gum is a no-no, sugar-free gum can be a powerful tool for your dental hygiene. So, how exactly does chewing gum benefit your oral health?
| Increased Saliva Production | Fresh Breath All Day Long | Teeth Whitening With Chewing Gum | Wrap-up | References |
Increased Saliva Production
Chewing gum might seem like a simple habit. However, it unlocks a powerful tool in your oral health arsenal: saliva. Think of it like a natural mouthwash, fighting off bacteria, washing away food particles, and restoring balance in your mouth [1].
After a meal, your mouth becomes a battlefield for bacteria. However, chewing gum comes to the rescue. It stimulates receptors in your mouth, significantly increasing saliva flow. This extra saliva is like a cavalry charge, neutralizing harmful acids and protecting your teeth from decay [2].
Here’s how it works:
- Rebuilding your defences: Saliva carries calcium and phosphate, the building blocks of strong tooth enamel. It’s like sending in reinforcements to repair any damage.
- More saliva means more power: The increased volume dilutes and neutralizes harmful acids, tipping the scales in favour of a healthy balance [3].
- Fluoride fortifies your shield: Saliva can replace weak enamel components with stronger ones, making your teeth more resistant to decay.
- Buffering the enemy: Saliva acts like a shield, neutralising acids from food and drinks before they can soften your enamel.
- Building a protective barrier: Saliva contributes proteins that form a protective coating on your teeth, guarding them against erosion.
While your natural saliva does its best, it’s limited. Chewing gum unlocks the enhanced power of stimulated saliva, providing surprising benefits for your oral health.
Fresh Breath All Day Long
Nobody wants to be a person with bad breath (Halitosis), and chewing gum can be a quick and effective solution. While it won’t replace regular brushing, flossing or interdental brushing, gum helps to mask bad breath. Thus it contributes to a fresh breath in your mouth. Opt for sugar-free gum to avoid adding fuel to the bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
Teeth Whitening With Chewing Gum
Another benefit of chewing gum is its potential to contribute to teeth whitening. Various types of teeth-whitening chewing gum are available, designed to combat the staining effects of certain foods and drinks on teeth. These products are often recommended for use after meals to assist in rinsing away food particles that could otherwise harm and discolour teeth. While habits like drinking coffee can lead to tooth discolouration, many individuals turn to teeth-whitening gum. They use it as a proactive measure to minimize these effects. So, pop a piece of sugar-free gum after meals and let nature’s mouthwash work its magic!
But wait, there’s more! Chewing gum can also:
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- Help to manage hunger pangs: Chewing gum can be a great way to curb your appetite between meals.
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- Reduce symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux: Increased saliva production can help to neutralize stomach acid and prevent it from backing up into your oesophagus.
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- Improve jaw strength and muscle tone: Chewing gum is a form of exercise for your jaw muscles, which can help to improve their strength and tone. This can be beneficial for people who suffer from jaw pain or TMJ disorder.
Don’t Overdo It
Of course, there are a few things to keep in mind:
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- Choose sugar-free gum: Sugar-laden gum can promote tooth decay. So it’s important to choose sugar-free gum that is sweetened with xylitol or other natural sweeteners.
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- Chew in Moderation: While chewing gum can be beneficial, it is important to chew in moderation. Excessive chewing can lead to jaw fatigue and headaches. You can freely chew 3-7 times a day, but be aware to not chew hard gums more than 10 times per day.
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- Don’t use gum as a substitute for brushing and flossing: Chewing gum is not a replacement for good oral hygiene habits. You should still be brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day.
So the next time you’re looking for a quick and easy way to improve your oral health, reach for a piece of sugar-free gum. You might be surprised at the positive effects of chewing gum on your smile and overall well-being!
Wrap-up
Surprising Benefits of Chewing Gum for Oral Health
Incorporating chewing gum into a thorough oral hygiene routine can enhance overall oral well-being. However, navigating the sugar content is crucial to ensure it enhances, not harms, your dental health. So, sugar-free gum, containing xylitol as a common sweetener, shines as the clear winner for optimal oral health [5].
References
[1] Non-specific benefits of chewing sugar-free gum Oral clearance and saliva stimulation, plaque pH neutralization – https://www.dentist.ie/_fileupload/jida_oct-nov_2012_webnon-member.pdf.
[2] Saliva neutralizes harmful acids from the mouth – https://www.ada.org/en/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/chewing-gum.
[3] More saliva means a more neutral environment in the mouth – https://eastgatedentalexcellence.com/blog/what-does-chewing-gum-do-to-your-teeth/
[4] Chewing gum creates saliva that will help remove debris from the mouth – https://selecthealth.org/blog/2017/04/surprising-benefits-of-chewing-gum
[5] Xylitol serves as the best ingredient in sugar-free chewing gums – https://amazingsmiles.com.au/the-benefits-of-chewing-gum-for-oral-health/