For some people it is a constant companion, others chew it now and again - chewing gum. It reliably ensures fresh breath, cleans the teeth and stimulates saliva production. The pure pleasure of chewing has increasingly taken a back seat in recent years, because nowadays manufacturers are focusing more on offering chewing gum that is supposed to promote long-term dental health.
But is chewing gum really healthy for your teeth and can it be used for dental care? We will address this question in today's blog post.
Sugar-free chewing gum as a supporter of dental hygiene
Chewing gum adorns the shelves in the front checkout area of every supermarket or discount store. Many of them are advertised as sugar-free and tooth-friendly. Whenever bacteria in the mouth break down sugar, they produce acidic metabolic products. These breakdown products can lead to tooth decay. Since chewing gum is chewed over a longer period of time, the sugar it contains stays in the mouth longer than is the case with other types of candy.
Since sugar provides food for bacteria and causes them to excrete more acidic waste products, chewing gum containing sugar can actually cause major damage to your teeth in the long run.
Chewing gum that is declared sugar-free is a different story. It deprives harmful bacteria of their food source and neutralizes existing acids in the mouth. It can be very effective in protecting your teeth from tooth decay. Chewing gum that is enriched with fluoride and calcium is also said to have a preventative effect. Chewing gum with fluoride and calcium remineralizes your teeth and can actually be seen as a helpful support in the area of dental health.
Did you know that chewing gum can generally have a positive effect? If you eat sweet foods or foods rich in carbohydrates, an acidic environment develops in your mouth shortly afterwards. These acids attack your teeth and promote the development of tooth decay. If you chew gum immediately after eating, this in turn promotes saliva production. The pH value in your mouth rises again. Existing acids are neutralized. Food residues and tooth decay bacteria are scrubbed from your teeth by chewing gum.
Chewing gum is not a substitute for toothbrushing
Despite the positive properties, you should always chew tooth-friendly and sugar-free chewing gum carefully. You should never consider that chewing gum can replace daily dental hygiene. Only a good toothbrush and thorough brushing can effectively care for your teeth and promote your dental health.
Daily tooth cleaning with our emmi®-dent ultrasonic toothbrush is ideal, time-saving and gentle. Protect your teeth and sensitive gums. Trust in the benefits of the latest ultrasonic technology. Without scrubbing or great pressure, ultrasound removes plaque from your teeth and cleans the entire oral cavity very efficiently.
Be careful, if you chew gum regularly or even excessively, there is a risk that your jaw muscles will tense up and you may overstrain your jaw joint. This can result in pain in the muscles. Cracking noises can also indicate overstrain.
 |
|
 |
