To chew or not to chew, that is the question!
Whether or not you chew gum is a highly personal choice. As a child I was never allowed to chew gum, not because of the excessive amount of sugar in it, but because according to my mum, it made you look less smart than a non-chewer! Luckily, when I finally sneaked a piece of sugar-laden gum I hated the flavour and kept forgetting to chew, so family harmony was maintained.
How times have changed! Nobody gives a second thought now to whether or not you should chew gum. The big issues are that you dispose of it properly and what sort of gum it is. Recent research into sugar- free gum shows it may actually be beneficial.
Professor Laurence Walsh, head of the Dental School at the University of Queensland says “there is now very good evidence that sugar-free gum has positive benefits on dental health above and beyond other measures such as using fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated water”.
So, what are these benefits?
Firstly, chewing gum increases the production of saliva, which helps protect your teeth by keeping them clean and by helping to strengthen enamel. Even when you aren’t chewing gum the increased saliva influences the type of bacteria that grows inside your mouth, according to Professor Walsh.
He also believes that chewing sugar-free gum can help those at high risk of tooth decay because of their diet or lifestyle.
So, it’s all good news! Chewing sugar-free gum actually helps your teeth. Just remember keep up the brushing and flossing to remove plaque from your teeth amd have aregukar check up with your dentist
So the good news is you can add chewing sugar-free gum to your list of healthy habits. But don’t throw away your toothbrush just yet; you will still need to brush and floss to remove plaque from your teeth.
If we can help you with any dental issue from cavities or cleaning, veneers to crowns or just for a thorough check up, phone us at Lasting Impressions Dental on 62498383.
Happy chewing!!
For full transcript of this article see:
http://www.abc.net.au/health/talkinghealth/factbuster/stories/2010/02/04/2807636.htm#.UYLrTssaySM