Benefits of Chewing Gum on Oral Health

Chewing gum is present from a very early age in a variety of forms where it was made out of tree saps. In modern times the chewing gum is made using a mixture of synthetic products like elastomers, raisins, and waxes in different proportions.

Nowadays, most of us think that chewing gum is a kind of candy but in the truest sense chewing gum has been scientifically proved to be a benefit for our oral health. The physical act of chewing promotes saliva production in our mouth that helps wash away the leftover food particles and acids formed by the bacteria in the plaque present on our teeth and gums.

The acids made by the bacteria in our mouth can damage the outer enamel of our teeth with time. As mentioned earlier, chewing helps increase saliva flow in our mouth which allows our teeth to absorb the minerals such as calcium and phosphate to retain the strength. After much clinical research, it was observed that chewing sugarless gum for about 20-30 mins after a meal could help neutralize and wash away the acids on our teeth preventing tooth decay.

Sugar-free gum containing non-cavity-causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol or sorbitol are more effective in reducing plaque on the teeth than the normal gums containing fermented sugar. Chewing gum helps stimulate saliva production that reduces the plaque acid and strengthening the teeth and reduce tooth decay. Chewing gum can also help suppress Halitosis (bad breath) to a certain extent.

Some of the chewing gum manufacturers are adding enamel hardening substances known as Recaldent which is found to remineralize and harden the tooth enamel making our teeth stronger and less prone to suffer from decay.

After so many benefits of chewing gum some might question, Is chewing gum is an alternative to brushing and flossing? The answer is a simple No. It is not an alternative to either brushing or flossing but is just an add-on to our daily oral care regime. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing with a string or water flosser is always recommended. Along with brushing and flossing, regular visits to the dental clinic is also a must. It reduces the chances of getting any oral health problems later down the line.

Why you must never neglect taking care of Teeth and Gums

Around 80% of Indian population is suffering from loose teeth and bad breath. There are more than 3600 average monthly searches on Google for remedies of Bad breath.

When you get your Selfie taken, the most important aspect that is visible is your SMILE and your white sparkling TEETH. When you see your picture, you see a happy person looking back at you. The healthier those teeth are, the happier you look. Why is that?

It's because your teeth are important in many ways. If you take care of them, they'll help take care of you. Strong, healthy teeth help you chew the right foods to help you grow.

Types of Teeth and their function:

• Incisors – The four front teeth in both the upper and lower jaws are called incisors. Their primary function is to cut food.

• Canines – There are four canines in the oral cavity. Two in the maxillary arch and two in the mandibular area. Their main function is to tear food.

• Premolars (Bicuspids) – These teeth are located behind and adjacent to the canines and are designed to crush food. There are eight premolars in the oral cavity.

• Molars – The most posterior teeth in the mouth are the molars. They have broader and flatter surfaces with 4-5 cups. They are designed to grind food.

How does taking care of your teeth help with all those things? Taking care of your teeth helps prevent plaque (say: PLAK), which is a clear film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth.

After you eat, bacteria go crazy over the sugar on your teeth, like ants at a picnic. The bacteria break it down into acids that eat away tooth enamel, causing holes called cavities. Plaque also causes gingivitis (say: jin-juh-VY-tis), which is gum disease that can make your gums red, swollen, and sore. Your gums are those soft pink tissues in your mouth that hold your teeth in place.

If you don't take care of your teeth, cavities and unhealthy gums will make your mouth very, very sore. Eating meals will be difficult. And you won't feel like smiling so much. There are several products in the market for cleaning - Toothbrushes, toothpaste, flossers, etc. Use these products regularly and make sure you keep your pearly whites intact.