Studies show chewing sugarless gum for at least 20 minutes after your meal can help prevent cavities. Dubious? But it’s true! The key is a very simple trick your body has for protecting your mouth and teeth: saliva.
By chewing sugarless gum, your mouth is forced to create more saliva to account for the substance in your mouth. Saliva, not the gum itself, is what actively is fighting cavities. Saliva not only washes away harmful bacteria that causes plaque buildup, but it can even neutralize dangerous acids responsible for tooth erosion. Thus, for the same reason that dry mouth symptoms can damage your teeth, gum can prevent cavities.
Of course, chewing other gums can also stimulate saliva production. However, the sugars present in those gums or candies feeds the bacteria that cause cavities. This negates any benefit you would get from increased saliva production.
Chewing gum has other positive health benefits to the body. Chewing gum has even been shown to help with the effects of heartburn! Heartburn is caused by acids from the stomach traveling up the esophagus and slowly wearing away the tissues in that area of the body. If the acids reach your mouth, they can also damage your teeth. Sugarless gum can help protect your teeth from the acids and even prevent heartburn from occurring by forcing consistent swallowing, which in turn forces the acids back down.
For more information on simple practices you can integrate to avoid cavities, call AZ Dental at 408-247-5500. If you would like an oral exam from Dr. Ravi Aulakh, please book an appointment to come see us at our dentist office in San Jose, California. We are here to help you get the healthy smile of your dreams!
