{"id":755,"date":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/\/hudsonhighlandsdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/chewing-gum-good-bad-teeth-2\/"},"modified":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","slug":"chewing-gum-good-bad-teeth-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/hudsonhighlandsdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/chewing-gum-good-bad-teeth-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Chewing Gum Good Or Bad For Your Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

\"\" DID YOU KNOW<\/strong> that the average American consumes 1.8 pounds of gum each year? With so much gum going into our mouths it\u2019s important to know how chewing gum affects our dental health. You may have heard that it\u2019s both good and bad for your teeth\u2026 so what\u2019s the real answer? Read on to find out! <\/p>\n

Avoid Chewing Gum Sweetened With Sugar<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Gum has always been a childhood favorite! What child doesn\u2019t love that sweet burst of flavor or a bubble-blowing competition with friends? Unfortunately, gum sweetened with sugar is bad news for teeth. When you or your child choose sugary chewing gum, you\u2019re not the only ones satisfying your sweet tooth. The bacteria in our mouths like sugar too!<\/strong> And they enjoy it long after we\u2019ve spit our gum out. These bacteria use sugar as fuel, producing acids that weaken tooth enamel and cause cavities. <\/p>\n

Stick To Sugarless Gum<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s the good news: chewing sugar-free gum can actually boost your oral health<\/strong>! Chewing gum increases saliva flow in your mouth, strengthening your teeth and washing away food debris and bacteria. While the same is true for sugary gum, the increased saliva flow isn\u2019t quite enough to offset the damage that the sugar can do. According to the American Dental Association, studies<\/a> show that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can prevent tooth decay<\/strong>. Saliva helps neutralize acids in our mouths after eating. It also contains calcium and phosphate which strengthen tooth enamel, our teeth\u2019s first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria. So, when choosing gum, “stick” to the sugarless kind! <\/p>\n

Gum Can\u2019t Replace Good Oral Hygiene<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Chewing sugar-free gum can only act as a supplement to your daily oral hygiene routine and can\u2019t replace daily brushing and flossing. Keep up your everyday mouth-healthy habits<\/strong> and you\u2019ll have strong, beautiful teeth for life! Check out the video below to learn more about how chewing sugarless gum can supplement your oral hygiene routine!<\/strong>