If you love to chew gum, did you know that there is an added benefit to chewing gum for your mouth and teeth?  Clinical studies have proven that chewing sugarless gum for at least 20 minutes following a meal can help to prevent tooth decay!  Pay close attention to that point though!  It needs to be SUGARLESS gum! San Tan Valley Dental Care Near Me AZ

When a person chews sugarless gum it can increase the flow of saliva, which helps to wash away food and other debris in the mouth.  It also helps to neutralize acid that is produced by bacteria in the mouth.  When there is an increase in saliva flow it can carry with the saliva more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen the tooth’s enamel. #martindental

When you are scanning the gum aisle at the grocery store, keep your eye out for chewing gum that has the ADA Seal on it.  This will guarantee that it is sugarless.  All gums that have the ADA Seal are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners like aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol.  It is also important to remember that chewing sugar-containing gum can increase your saliva flow, too, but it also contains sugar.  This sugar is used by plaque bacteria to produce decay-causing acids.  San Tan Valley Dental Care Near Me AZ

Nothing should ever replace brushing and flossing, and this goes for chewing sugarless gum. #smilewithconfidence It is not a substitute.  The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.  Flossing is also recommended to remove the plaque from between your teeth once a day.