Is Chewing Gum Just As Good As Proper Brushing?

July 9, 2019 6:26 pm Published by
When it comes to maintaining your oral health, nothing is as important as preventive care. In fact, most common dental ailments can be avoided with good at-home oral hygiene and regular visits to our office for cleanings and exams from Dr. Dipesh Sitaram. Nothing can substitute for brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing each day – not even chewing gum.

What Are the Benefits of Brushing & Flossing?

Brushing and flossing help clean away food particles before the bacteria and acid in your mouth have a chance to feed on them. Brushing and flossing can also help remove plaque, a sticky biofilm composed of bacteria and acid that can irritate gums or wear away on enamel to form cavities. To get the most benefit, you should brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time and floss once each day. blond girl glowing a gum bubble

What Are the Benefits of Chewing Gum?

Chewing gum can provide some oral health benefits. First, make sure you’re reaching for sugar-free gum, as gum with sugar in it can contribute to cavities. Chewing sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva production. This is important because saliva can wash away food particles from teeth and help clean your mouth. Saliva also contains enzymes that fight off bad bacteria before it has a chance to do damage.

Can Chewing Gum Substitute for Brushing?

While chewing gum can contribute to healthy oral hygiene, it is not as good as proper brushing. In fact, there is no real substitute for regular brushing when it comes to keeping teeth healthy, preventing cavities, and preserving healthy gums. Chewing gum can contribute to healthy pearly whites but only to a limited degree. The best way to have strong, healthy teeth is to combine regular brushing and flossing with other protective and preventive measures like chewing sugar-free gum, avoiding foods high in sugar or wearing a protective mouthguard during contact sports. To hear more tips from our team on achieving a healthy smile or to schedule your next appointment, call us today! Contact Us