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When it comes to maintaining oral hygiene, you consciously make sure to brush and floss twice a day, sleeping with satisfaction until the end of the day. What if we told you that there is another fun way of maintaining a healthy oral environment? You may have overlooked or would not have given fleeting thought to it, so, let us tell you that it is by chewing gum! You heard it right. A recent report on the effects on your health has shown that chewing on sugar-free gum for 20 minutes can stimulate saliva secretion and reduce the risk of enamel erosion among many uses.
While there are many different theories and suggestions regarding the Benefits of chewing gum, let us learn how it helps in overall oral health and how it affects us. There are many surprising benefits of chewing gum for white teeth and your oral wellbeing like helping to fight bad bacteria and breath and increasing saliva production which washes away acidic residue and food particles, reducing chances of tooth decay and cavities.
If you chew gum there is increased secretion of saliva as it serves as the natural defense mechanism in your mouth, fighting against plaque, decay and oral diseases. It also neutralizes the acidic environment in the mouth produced by bacteria that feed on lodged food particles between teeth.
The saliva produced while chewing gum benefits in maintaining pH levels in the mouth making it alkaline, in turn checking the formation of harmful bacteria. Moreover, you can get rid of xerostomia or dry mouth condition with continual saliva secretion, keeping your mouth moist and comfortable throughout.
Research has shown that there is less chance of plaque on your teeth while chewing gum as it forms a thin sticky film of bacteria that gets lodged firmly and feeds on the food particles stuck in between teeth. The rhythmic motions of your jaw and tossing the gum throughout helps in removing food particles and also the plaque stuck onto the teeth.
Regular flossing and brushing your teeth after chewing gum will remove the remaining food debris from the mouth, keeping your oral environment refreshing and clean.
While chewing gum benefits the removal of plaque and food particles stuck, naturally your mouth is free from bad odour because of two reasons, one, your chewing gum’s flavour lingers in your mouth and two, without the residual food particles, it is difficult for bacteria to thrive. This leaves you with a refreshing mouth and breath.
Using flavoured chewing gum like mint, fruity, cinnamon, clove and other strong flavours helps you ward off bad bacteria in the mouth. Regularly chewing gum after your meals or snacks while socializing helps you be confident and smiling with fresh breath throughout.
It is important to take a few precautions for chewing gum for white teeth and clean gums, where the key is moderation. Chewing gum benefits you if you chew within limits. Overly munching on it will lead to jaw problems like TMJ pain and muscle strain.
Another important aspect is the sugar content. Chewing sugar-laden gums can contribute to tooth decay negating the benefits of saliva production and alkaline environment inside the mouth. For someone with diabetes, ensure to consult your physician before using chewing gum.
For someone with braces and other orthodontic devices, it is important to consult your dentist on the usage directions as it may dislodge the wires or devices and increase the current problem. Hence, using gums should be more beneficial than a problem, and a formal consultation should be taken to make best use of the benefits of eating gum.
Bringing in a routine of chewing one or two sugar-free gums a day will help you combat dental issues like plaque, decay formation, bad breath and helps in maintaining oral health and freshness throughout the day. For more information on the benefits of chewing gum and personal use suggestions, contact our Dentists in Bangalore at Power Smiles Dental clinic and we will assist you on the same.