FREE CONSULTATION 0113 245 4868 Ask us about 0% Finance
Book Online

Chewing gum benefits explained by Leeds dentist

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.

Tags: , , ,

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.