Most of us in Leeds love a god chew- it can have a strangely calming affect on our stress filled day, strengthen the muscles around the jaw (if done in moderation) and the biggest bonus of all, help reduce the amount we smoke. But there are other reasons why chewing can do your teeth and gums the world of good. If you chew with a sugar free gum or these days, one that has elements of herbal products in such as clove and Echinacea, it helps to massage and stimulate the blood flow in the gums and promote the natural enemy of bacteria- saliva. Your saliva helps to strengthen teeth and neutralize the build up of acids that cause tooth decay. Chewing gum can also help to break down plaque and tartar and reduce the risk of gingivitis and gum disease. Most important of all, it helps to remove any foodstuffs from around the teeth after eating- in fact, if you chew gum during the day, you are far less likely to give into the temptation of ‘snacking’ between meals. Who’d have thought that just by chewing a piece of gum, you could promote so much health in your mouth and body?
Posts Tagged ‘chewing gum’
Chewing Gum and the Benefits to your Mouth in Leeds
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011Leeds dentists advise on chewing gum benefits to enhance oral health
Sunday, November 7th, 2010
Chewing gums benefits can be substantial to our oral health. Whether it is to freshen breath or contribute to increased production of saliva, many of us chew gum. Saliva is a vital force in protecting our teeth from the damaging effects of plaque and chewing gum is one of the simplest ways to achieve that.
Having a dry mouth can be very uncomfortable indeed and the pleasurable process of chewing gum helps to alleviate that. As a happy side effect your breath is freshened in the process. Feeling confident that your breath smells pleasant is very important for social occasions of all kinds, allowing you to talk and smile with confident without being worried that you ought to shield your mouth.
The saliva that is produced by the act of chewing neutralises acids which are introduced to the mouth via sugary and starchy foods. By combating these acids you are helping to guard against plaque, safeguard your teeth’s protective enamel and avoid painful cavities and tooth decay.
Chewing also helps clear the mouth of debris. If you find yourself in a situation where brushing is not possible – perhaps a business function involving lunch – chewing gum is the next best thing until you are able to use your toothbrush. The process of chewing will help to shift some of your food debris away from teeth and neutralise acids in the process.
The likelihood of stains is also reduced allowing your teeth to retain some of their whiteness. There are many different chewing gums available on the market and your Leeds dentist will be able to advise you on the best so that you maintain healthy saliva production and fresh breath.
Benefits of chewing gum explained by Leeds dentist
Thursday, November 26th, 2009
Chewing gum is the world’s most popular habit with an incredible 100,00 tons of it being chewed each year. Previously thought of as an unpleasant habit, the traditional image of chewing gum as a nuisance that was stuck under tables and on pavements everywhere is beginning to change.
Recent studies have shown that chewing gum can have several positive benefits on the health of your teeth. Chewing after meals helps to stimulate saliva production neutralising the decay-causing plaque acids that build up in the mouth. This plaque acid is formed by toxins released by decaying bacteria and attacks the tooth enamel, eroding it and causing dental cavities. Saliva is our natural defence against plaque acid so the more of it we can produce the better. Decaying bacteria in the mouth is also responsible for 90 per cent of cases of bad breath so chewing gum helps to keep your breath fresh. Chewing can also help to relieve pressure that builds up in the jaw, ears and sinuses.
Chewing gum was previously thought of as bad for the teeth because of its high sugar content. Many gums are now available in sugar-free varieties, which stimulate saliva production ten-fold and cause no damage to the tooth enamel themselves. Saliva also contains minerals such as calcium, which can help to repair damage caused to the tooth enamel.
Dentists now recommend that chewing gum for fifteen to twenty minutes after each meal to stimulate saliva production and neutralise plaque acid. Gums with artificial sweeteners like Xylitol are particularly good for the teeth because they have no natural sugars. Leeds dentist now recognise these sugar-free gums as an important weapon in the war against tooth decay and gum disease.
Chewing gum benefits explained by Leeds dentist
Sunday, November 15th, 2009
Chewing gum is believed to be the world’s most common habit. Over 100,000 tonnes of it are chewed each year. While some people see chewing gum as a bad habit, and we’ve all experienced the annoyance of stepping in it at some point, there are also several major health benefits of gum chewing. It can relieve stress and tension and help with weight loss but by far and away the major benefit is for oral health.
Chewing gum after meals can help stimulate saliva production which can help to neutralise the enamel damaging plaque acid that causes both tooth decay and bad breath. Teeth are at their most vulnerable right after eating meals as that is when the bacteria has the most food particles to break down into acids. Also, by encouraging jaw movement it can help to relieve tension that builds up in the ears and sinuses. Contrary to popular belief it would seem, chewing sugarfree gum is good for your teeth. It has even been recognised by the British Dental Association.
The increased saliva production caused by gum also has the advantage of containing more calcium and fluoride which can help the enamel to repair early decay. However, it is important to remember to chew sugar free gum or even better, gum that contains the natural sweetener xylitol. This has the sweet taste of sugar but also helps to neutralise the damaging acids produced by plaque.
Chewing gum is certainly not for everyone, but chewing sugarfree gum after a meal can certainly benefit the teeth. It is advisable to rinse your mouth with water after chewing gum, especially if you are chewing gum with sugar. Ask a Leeds dentist about the further benefits of chewing gum and which is the best gum for you to chew after meals.