Whether you’re a fan of gum or not, there are some benefits to chewing gum. The very important forewarning here being that the gum you are chewing must be sugarless gum. Some benefits to chewing sugarless gum include the following:
One of the main reasons people chew gum is to freshen their breath. Also, some people chew gum to stay alert. Whether you are in a meeting or working on a project, it can keep you awake for a few moments.
Another advantage to chewing gum is resisting a food craving. Even sugarless gum is delicious and being able to chew something nice and minty makes it easier to pass up a sugary snack and stay on track with healthy eating goals.
Most importantly, chewing gum after eating for 20 minutes is healthy for your teeth. The act of chewing increases saliva flow. While eating, plaque bacteria breaks down the food and doing so creates acids that are harmful to your teeth. The increased saliva flow that is caused by chewing gum helps to neutralize and rinse away these acids. Try to brush your teeth after eating a meal to prevent plaque buildup.
Chewing gum cannot take the place of a solid brushing and flossing routine. We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily to clean between your teeth. Chewing sugarless gum after meals is a good way to minimize the effects of eating until your next brushing.
Give Hulen Family Dentistry a call at 765-675-8745 if you have any questions about which chewing gums are right for you. Our dentist would love to meet and assist you.