As you could probably realize, chewing is one of the most important parts of life. One of the most important functions of life, eating, is not possible without chewing. Additionally, chewing can serve some positives in your dental health. One major positive is the stimulation of saliva production. For this reason, dentists encourage chewing gum.
Sugarless chewing gum can actually help you fight tooth decay. The reason for this is twofold. First, an increase in saliva will help to neutralize acids and protect your enamel. This will help your teeth look whiter and protect them from cavities. Second, many sugarless chewing gums contain Xylitol, a sugar substitute. Xylitol however, is more than just a sugar substitute - it actually works against sugar. Xylitol helps to remove sugars from your mouth and keep them off of your teeth eliminating another cause of cavities.
Gum that contains sugar, however, has exactly the opposite effect. It increases the incidence of tooth decay because it allows sugar to be in the mouth for prolonged periods of time, feeding the germs that cause tooth decay. Chewing gum of any kind can also be a problem in people who suffer from muscular headaches or TMJ symptoms of any kind because it stresses the jaw joints in chewing muscles. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, make sure to schedule an appointment at our office in Delaware or by using our online appointment request form.
For more information on chewing gum related to dentistry, visit Delta Dental.