Your body’s first defense against cavities is naturally produced in your mouth: saliva. As your mouth produces saliva, the saliva carries fortifying nutrients to your teeth that strengthen enamel. It also serves to clean out food particles and debris from your mouth. Chewing sugarless gum helps stimulate saliva flow, which in turn helps protect your teeth from cavities.
Of course, chewing regular, sugared gum also stimulates saliva flow. However, the sugar in the gum also feeds the bacteria that live in your mouth. These bacteria feed on sugar, and produce acidic byproduct that eats away at your teeth. Thus, sugarless gum is effective at fighting cavities, where sugared gum is not.
When you buy your gum, look for the small ADA Seal of Acceptance symbol. Far more than a logo, this little seal has big meaning. It is only granted to products that have undergone and passed rigorous testing for both safety and effectiveness. This seal cannot be purchased; it must be earned by passing the tests. This guarantees that you are getting a quality product that does what it says it does. In this case, it means you have purchased a gum that will help fight cavities by encouraging saliva production without feeding mouth bacteria.
Do not let chewing gum substitute for regular brushing and flossing. Support your oral hygiene habits with regular visits to your dentist. To learn more about oral health habits, feel free to call Mark Andrews, D.D.S.1 at 425-821-8100. Or, if you are in the Kirkland, Washington area, call us today to set up an appointment! Dr. Mark Andrews will be happy to see you!