Sugar Free Chewing Gum
Should it be part of your personal oral health regimen?
Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time is a standard part of oral health care. It is advised, along with eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, visiting Abbey Road Dental regularly for checkups and avoiding damaging habits like smoking.
Did you know, there may also be an extra action you can take to help your teeth be even healthier? Chewing gum that is sugar-free could be an extra tool to use in keeping your oral health in great shape, here’s how:
Saliva Production
Chewing sugar free chewing gum after you have eaten helps to stimulate saliva. Naturally this rinses away food debris and particles which may otherwise stick to your teeth and form plaque. The chewing action also helps to physically break away some food debris from the gaps in the teeth. The acid in your mouth after a meal is also neutralised by saliva, again reducing potential damage to the teeth.
Fresh Breath
Although chewing gum will not combat deeper bad breath issues, or combat eating lots of onion and garlic which will cause an odour directly from the stomach, it can help with short term breath issues. It helps remove food debris which can smell once it starts to rot between the teeth. Natural mint flavouring in chewing gum also freshens the breath short term.
Xylitol Could Be Good For Your Teeth
Lots of sugar free chewing gum contains a natural sweetener called xylitol and there are some studies that suggest that xylitol is able to cut down the amount of bad bacteria in the mouth. It is also thought to help prevent nasty bacteria from sticking to the teeth, as well as helping to neutralise the PH balance in the mouth.
What’s The Catch?
Chewing gum can be helpful to your teeth, but it has to be used responsibly. Primarily it has to be a gum that is free from sugar, otherwise it will cause the same damage as sweets which are full of sugar. You should also check the manufacturers instructions on how many chewing gums can be used before a laxative effect arises – a common issue with this type of product.
It is also important to understand that chewing sugar free chewing gum cannot replace a proper oral health regime. You should be:
- Brushing your teeth at two different times, for two minutes
- Using the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your needs
- Visiting Abbey Road Dental as regularly as advised for checkups
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Avoiding habits bad for oral health like smoking
Chewing sugar free gum is a useful addition to an established oral health regime.
Get Extra Support For Your Smile From Abbey Road Dental
If you want more advice on developing excellent oral health habits, please register with us, or book an appointment if you are already an established patient. You can call us on 02076241603 and our friendly team will be more than happy to help. We are here to help each and every one of our patients protect and maintain a healthy, happy smile!