Chewing Gum Can Help You Control Plaque Buildup
Can chewing gum be good for your teeth? The answer
is yes, if it is the right kind. Chewing gum can help prevent tooth decay, as
long as you choose a sugarless gum. Chewing gum causes your mouth to produce
more saliva, which helps neutralize and rinse away some of the acid that forms
in your mouth when you break down food. So if you chew gum after a meal, you
may be helping to protect your teeth and promote oral health.
Also, the minerals generated by the extra saliva can
even help strengthen your tooth enamel, which also reduces your risk of a
dental cavity.
Parents can share this oral care hint with children
and teens, who often chew gum. Just be sure that they choose sugarless gum, not
a sugary bubble gum, which can have the opposite effect and contribute to the
buildup of plaque on teeth. The American Dental Association recommends
sugarless gum, and some types of sugarless gum have the American Dental
Association seal of approval on their packaging. So, if you are uncertain about
which gum is best for promoting oral health, look for that seal when you
purchase gum for yourself or your family members.
But
remember (and remind children) that gum-chewing, even sugarless gum, is not a
substitute for a regular oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and
daily proper flossing with quality dental care products.Source link: http://www.oralb.com/topics/chew-gum-control-plaque.aspx
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