BENEFITS OF CHEWING GUM ON ORAL HEALTH – ELITE DENTAL CARE TRACY

Do you possess the habit of chewing gum? That’s great! Have you been sceptical as to whether chewing gum is good or bad for your health? You might wonder that the sugar in chewing gum may spoil your dental health, but there are some good alternatives too. Continue reading below to find out what are the benefits of chewing gum on your oral health.

WHAT IS A CHEWING GUM COMPOSED OF?
Chewing gum, as you know, is a rubbery substance that is chewed and not swallowed. Though the brands that manufacture chewing gums may have slight variations in their recipe, the basic ingredients remain common in most of them. Chewing gums are usually composed of
• Gum: A non-digestible rubbery substance that gives the chewy nature to the chewing gum.
• Resin: This is added to bind the gum together.
• Fillers: Fillers like calcium carbonate give the gum texture.
• Preservatives: Added to extend the shelf life.
• Softeners: Prevent the gum from hardening
• Sweeteners: Either natural or artificial sweeteners are added, or there are sugar-free gums available as well.
• Flavors: Artificial flavors are added to enhance the taste of the gum

HOW DOES CHEWING GUM BENEFIT YOUR TEETH?
Chewing gum provides good benefits to your teeth and the overall oral health. A few of the benefits include:

1. Increases Saliva Production
Saliva is the defense agent in the mouth that fights the bacteria and plaque. With reduced salivary production, the mouth becomes dry, and bacteria start feeding on the sugars, forming plaque and tartar. But when you chew gum after the meals, the salivary glands compress and release saliva. There is enough saliva to wash away the sugars and acids from food broken down by bacteria that would otherwise lead to cavities. Chewing gum keeps your mouth hydrated with an increased flow of saliva.
2. Prevents Tooth Decay
The increased flow of saliva not only hydrates your mouth but also prevents tooth decay. Saliva is rich in calcium and fluoride that strengthen the tooth enamel. When you consume foods and drinks, bacteria in the mouth convert this food into starch and acids that bacteria feed on. These acids wear away the enamel and form cavities.
But with the increased saliva, these acids and starchy components are washed away preventing the formation of cavities and further decaying of the tooth.

3. Prevents Bad Breath
Bad breath makes you feel embarrassed when around people. It could be the symptoms of gum disease, dry mouth or other oral complications. Chewing minty or flavored gums provides a temporary resort for bad breath as they mask the bad odor. It also keeps your mouth hydrated as saliva flow increases. The mouth remains hydrated even after chewing is done, and hence bad breath is controlled.

4. Whitens the Teeth
Consuming caffeine products, sauces, alcohol or foods that stain your teeth discolor the enamel. Chewing gum washes away the stains caused by consumption of the food products by stimulating salivary flow and thus prevent the staining of enamel. There are many teeth whitening chewing gums available in the market.

5. Strengthens Jawbones
Chewing gum is a good exercise for your jawbones, as it increases the blood flow and salivary production.

Be Careful While Choosing the Chewing Gum
Though there are so many benefits of chewing gum on your dental health, there could be a few downsides too. Do not go for those sugary chewing gums as they provide sugary food to the bacteria and cause cavities and tooth decay. Chewing gum is beneficial only when you opt for the sugar-free gums that are composed of xylitol. Do not keep chewing the gums for hours together as it could weaken your jawbones and cause pain in the teeth.

Do not hesitate or feel bad about your habit of chewing gums but make sure you chew it only for a few minutes after the meals. Along with chewing gum, it is necessary to follow good oral hygiene to keep your dental health intact. The Elite Dental Care is always at your service to strengthen your dental health and preserve your beautiful smiles.