The Surprising Advantages of Chewing Gum: How It Can Promote Better Oral Health

Have you ever been fascinated by the power of chewing gum? As it turns out, there are more benefits to its sticky texture than just providing a brief distraction from everyday life. Because of its unique ingredients and how you use your jaw muscles when you chew, there are an array of beneficial ways that regular hubba-bubba can actually improve your oral health! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the surprising advantages of chewing gum and discuss how they can help promote better oral hygiene.

The Surprising Advantages of Chewing Gum: How It Can Promote Better Oral Health 

There are numerous advantages to chewing gum that can contribute to better oral health. Here are a few of the key benefits:

Increases saliva flow:

Saliva helps keep your mouth healthy by washing away food particles and helping neutralize acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, ultimately reducing your risk of tooth decay. Chewing gum increases saliva flow, which helps remove food particles more efficiently.

Cleans teeth:

Chewing gum can help clean your teeth by scraping away plaque and other debris that accumulates on the surface of your teeth while you chew. This helps prevent cavities and other dental problems.

Freshens breath:

Chewing gum can help freshen your breath by stimulating the flow of saliva, which helps reduce bacteria and odors associated with bad breath.

Improves jaw muscles:

Chewing gum can help strengthen your jaw muscles, as they need to move constantly to chew effectively. This in turn can improve your overall oral health.

What Chewing Gum is Best?

It’s important to note that not all chewing gums are created equal. To reap the maximum benefits, look for chewing gums that contain xylitol, a natural sweetener that helps reduce plaque and decay-causing bacteria. Additionally, it’s best to avoid sugar-based gums as they can contribute to tooth decay. Further, look for gums that are ADA approved, as this indicates they have met certain standards of quality and effectiveness.

Maintaining Dental Health with Regular Chewing

Chewing gum can provide numerous advantages to your oral health, but it’s important to note that these benefits are only realized with regular use. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your chewing gum, try to incorporate it into your daily routine – like after meals or snacks. This will help ensure that you’re reaping the rewards of a regular gum-chewing habit.

By incorporating these tips into your daily oral health regimen, you can harness the power of chewing gum to promote better oral hygiene and keep your teeth healthy.

A Good Dental Hygiene Routine

In addition to chewing gum, it’s important to maintain a good dental hygiene routine to keep your mouth healthy. Cleveland Clinic explains that a good dental hygiene routine should include:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day.

Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. (Medium or hard bristles can damage your gums and tooth enamel.) When you brush, place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward your gums. This helps sweep away plaque and bacteria at the gum line. Be sure to brush all teeth surfaces, including the backs and sides.

Floss once daily.

You can’t reach the spaces between your teeth with brushing alone. To clean these areas, you need dental floss. Take a piece of floss that’s about 18 inches long. Wrap each end around your middle fingers. Using your thumbs and forefingers, guide the floss between two teeth. Wrap the floss snugly around one tooth in a C shape and clean it using about 10 up and down strokes. Next, wrap the floss around the other tooth and repeat. Continue this process on all of your teeth. If you have dexterity issues, you can also use interproximal brushes and dental picks to clean between your teeth. (A note about water flossers: While water flossers are excellent for removing large pieces of food and debris, they can’t remove the biofilm from your teeth surfaces. So, if you use a water flosser, be sure to use traditional dental floss as well.)

Brush your tongue.

Your tongue holds bacteria like a sponge. Whenever you brush your teeth, don’t forget to brush your tongue. You can use your toothbrush for this purpose. Or, you can purchase a tongue scraper in the oral health aisle.

Use an antibacterial mouthwash every day.

Antibacterial mouthwash helps keep harmful oral bacteria at bay. In addition to washing away food and debris, it also reduces plaque buildup. Be sure to choose an alcohol-free formula to prevent dry mouth.

Visit your dentist regularly.

Routine dental exams and cleanings are essential for good oral health. Many people do well with six-month visits. But, if you’re prone to cavities, gum disease or other oral health problems, you may need more frequent appointments.

Avoid smoking and other tobacco products.

Smoking is a leading cause of gum disease and oral cancer. It’s best to avoid these products altogether. If you currently smoke and would like to quit, ask your healthcare provider about treatment options that can help.

Make an Appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental Today

If you would like to learn more about how chewing gum can benefit your oral health, Stonebrook Family Dental is here to help. Our dentists and hygienists are experts in preventive dental care and can provide guidance on how to keep your teeth healthy. To make an appointment, contact us today!