Is chewing gum good for your mouth and teeth? Click here to see the answer from a dentist in Bayside, NY. Learn more about chewing gum and your mouth.

Dentists have been discussing the exact effects chewing gum has on oral health for years. If you have a love of chewing gum, you're likely curious to know what those effects are.

What are the various pros and cons of chewing gum on your oral health?

If you're curious what chewing gum can do for you, you're in luck. Here's what a dentist in Bayside, NY has to say about the effects of chewing gum on your dental health.

The Benefits

First, we'll discuss the benefits of using sugarless gum. There are many ways that chewing gum can benefit your oral health. Here are just a few!

Reduce Bad Breath

Oral bacteria are the leading cause of bad breath. As bacteria take residence in your mouth, they cause tooth decay and bad breath; sugarless gum can get rid of residue left over from your last meal, giving the bacteria nothing to eat. While not as good as brushing or flossing your teeth, chewing gum can be a great oral cleaner if you don't have time to run to the bathroom for your toothbrush.

Sugarless gum also has strong scents, which can override any bad breath you already had. Overall, you can expect a better smell after using chewing gum!

Prevent Tooth Decay

Sugarless gum has been shown to reduce the number of oral bacteria in your mouth after chewing. According to the American Dental Association, certain types of sugarless gum can reduce your risk of developing tooth decay if you chew sugarless gum right after eating!

Of course, chewing gum should never be used as your sole method of tooth decay prevention. While it can help on a small level, the only way to get rid of built-up plaque is to brush and floss regularly and visit your dentist twice a year!

Whiten Teeth

There are actually some types of sugarless chewing gum that are made with a teeth whitening agent! Just as you might use tooth-whitening toothpaste to help hide discoloration from food and drink, you can use chewing gum to get a similar effect.

These chewing gums first wash away any excess food leftover on your teeth. As the gum increases your saliva production, the remaining food particles are broken down and removed; then, the whitening agent coats the teeth. These ingredients help protect your teeth against staining in the future.

Increase Saliva Production

One of your body's main defenses against oral diseases is saliva. Your salivary glands are hard at work producing saliva, which coats the mouth and kills off bacteria. If you suffer from dry mouth, however, you may be at a higher risk of tooth decay and other oral issues.

Chewing gum stimulates the salivary glands and increases saliva production. Not only will you have an easier time swallowing and have less discomfort from a dry mouth, but the saliva will reduce the amount of harmful oral bacteria in your mouth.

The Drawbacks

Unfortunately, not all aspects of chewing gum are positive. There are some drawbacks of chewing gum that you should keep an eye out for.

Wear and Tear

The more you chew, the more wear and tear your teeth will get. As you chew, your teeth grind against each other; this can cause the tops of the teeth to wear down over time. If left unchecked, this unnecessary wear can cause a lot of damage to the structure of your teeth.

Loosen or Damaged Dental Work

If you've ever had a retainer or braces, you were likely told not to eat anything sticky until they were out. This is because chewing gum can loosen dental work. But braces and retainers aren't the only pieces of dental work that are at risk; some fillings or tooth replacements can also come loose if you decide to chew chewing gum.

Should any chewing gum dislodge your dental work, you will have a costly time repairing the damage. With any luck, your only concern will be having the dental work redone.

Some sugarless gum contains chemicals that interact negatively with your dental work; if you have any mercury amalgam fillings, these chemicals can cause small amounts of mercury to be released from the fillings. Whenever you chew sugarless gum, you should check the ingredients for any potentially harmful chemicals on the ingredient list!

Potential Jaw Issues

Chewing gum for extended periods of time can put a lot of stress on your jaw. Excessive chewing wears down your jaw muscles, which, if left untreated, can put you at risk for more serious jaw injuries later on. The more often you chew gum, the worse your jaw can get.

Sugary Gum Can Cause Tooth Decay

Naturally, while sugarless gum can have benefits for your oral health, sugary gum will have the exact opposite effect. Chewing gum with sugar in it is like having a sugar bath in your mouth; this gives any oral bacteria in your mouth a free chance to feast on this sugar. In turn, you are more likely to develop cavities.

If you decide to chew gum, always spring for a sugarless alternative to keep your teeth safe.

Find a Dentist in Bayside, NY

Now that you know the pros and cons of chewing gum, you can decide whether to pick up a pack from your local convenience store. Remember to always go for sugarless gum, and to never use gum as your only source of dental hygiene! Make sure you're always brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice per day and regularly visiting your dentist in Bayside, NY.

Are you searching for a great dentist in your area?

We're here to help. Contact us with any questions or concerns you have about our dental services and continue reading our blog for more useful information today!

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