The question is often posed if chewing gum can help fight dental erosion. Although chewing gum can be beneficial for your smile, be mindful of which product you are using, and take note that it is the process of chewing that provides the benefits, not the gum. Avoid chewing gum that has sugars in it, as it can be harmful to your teeth and cancel out any benefits you wish to obtain from it.
Chewing gum works by stimulating your mouth to produce excess saliva. Saliva in your mouth can help wash away food particles and bacteria and it can neutralize harmful acids that can help promote dental erosion, which is a process that wears away the tooth enamel on your teeth. Studies have shown that chewing gum, specifically sugarless chewing gum, for a period of longer than 20 minutes after a meal can effectively prevent cavities, dental erosion, and tooth decay from occurring. However, this method should not be used as a replacement for traditional oral health care routines including brushing twice daily and flossing once daily.
Another key feature that chewing sugarless gum can provide is in the treatment of heartburn. Although there are better treatments, sugarless gum is a good tool to use if you are concerned about harmful acids traveling up your esophagus and into your mouth. These acids can damage your teeth and gums, and should be treated as soon as possible. Sugarless gum can create additional saliva to wash away these acids.
If you would like to schedule an oral examination or professional cleaning with Sharpe Dental Studio, simply call our dentist office at 505-982-4686 for an appointment in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dr. Virginia Sharpe and the rest of our team look forward to helping correct your smile so it can shine brightly for many years to come!
