DOES CHEWING GUM AFFECT YOUR TEETH?

By: Smileway Dental

Chewing gum is a soft and rubbery candy that’s designed to be chewed but not swallowed.

Recipes can vary among brands, but all chewing gums have the basic ingredients such as gum, resin, filler, preservatives, softeners, sweeteners, and flavorings.

Chewing gum can help prevent tooth decay, as long as you choose sugarless gum. Chewing gum causes your mouth to produce more saliva, which helps neutralize and rinse away some of the acids that forms in your mouth when you break down food. So if you chew gum after meal, you may be helping to protect your teeth and promote oral health. Also, the minerals generated by the extra saliva can help strengthen your tooth enamel, which also reduces your risk of a dental cavity.

Chewing spearmint or peppermint flavored gum not only makes your breath taste and smell fresh, but it also reduces bad breath in the long run.

Despite its many benefits, chewing gum is not without its disadvantage. Here’s a look at some common debilitating effects of chewing gum:

  • Tooth decay – The sugar from chewing gum coats your teeth and gradually damages the tooth enamel, especially if you don’t clean your teeth immediately afterward. Use chewing gum brands that contain little or no sugar to minimize these effect
  • Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) – Especially if you chew on one side of the mouth more than the other. It also can lead to toothaches and headaches.
  • Mercury release from dental filling – If you have amalgam fillings that contain mercury as one of their ingredients, chewing gum could cause the release of the mercury into your body.

If you can’t avoid chewing gum, however, it’s advisable only to chew sugarless gum made with Xylitol and be conscious about which side you’re using to chew. In Smileway Dental Clinic USJ and Smileway Dental Clinic Setapak, we take care of your smile because we believe in “Creating Smiles That Matters” in your life. Take care everyone. To know more about your teeth, do not hesitate to contact us and get an appointment for a consultation.

 

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Stella Yeap
Stella Yeap
2023-02-20
Good dental clinic and good Doctor and nurses
Siew Jing Loh
Siew Jing Loh
2023-01-17
Very gentle doctor and resonable Price 👍👍
Malcolm Elliott
Malcolm Elliott
2022-12-18
After 25 years of trying to find a good dentist in KL have finally found one that is well equiped, knowledgable, skilled and good value. Lovely staff. The only downside is the parking but if you park ay MainPlace and walk across then it’s easy. Update 2022…I am still using this excellent dentist as they remain the best I have experienced over the past 26 years… Dentists, nurses, reception and equipment all top notch… Highly recommended.
Syabas Saga
Syabas Saga
2022-12-16
friendly
Valerie Choong
Valerie Choong
2022-12-07
Highly recommend Dr Edwin! He is a very patient and gentle. Tip top service.
Mc Tech Solutions
Mc Tech Solutions
2022-11-28
Calm & Done, Smileway have My 5Star
Mohammad Fazri Mohd Fatimi -
Mohammad Fazri Mohd Fatimi –
2022-11-28
Friendly staff and Dr. Edwin Kok was very gentle when doing the treatment. Highly recommended!!!

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