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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Ong sook yan
Ong sook yan
2023-07-14
Always my trusted place for dental treatment, great staff and doctor
Chuan Jin
Chuan Jin
2023-07-14
Good service and friendly dental
Wei Leng Chew
Wei Leng Chew
2023-07-13
Dr. Edwin & his staff are very friiendly & helpful. The overall environment is clean & comfortable.
Jin J
Jin J
2023-07-13
Friendly staffs. and helpful doctor. Went for scaling and polishing. Done by Dr. Lisa. Thank you.
Julian Leong
Julian Leong
2023-07-13
all Dr and nurses is very friendly and nice, environment is very nice will introduce friends to come ☺️
ming
ming
2023-07-12
Great service and nice environment 👍
MAS ABDUL RAHMAN
MAS ABDUL RAHMAN
2023-07-12
Very satisfied with the service. Polite & gentle dr Edwin and courteous staff. Friendly environment.
Clare Felicity Chan
Clare Felicity Chan
2023-07-12
Dr Jon Low is v professional n experienced in his field. Receptionist n nurses are friendly. Only reservation are the flight of staircase to climb for elderly n physically challenged clients.
Nor Hafiza
Nor Hafiza
2023-07-11
The best dental clinic at USJ.. Friendly and beautiful nurses. Will go again..
Kian Hong Ong
Kian Hong Ong
2023-07-11
Staff and Dr are good and friendly, been treatment here with Dr Lisa here , very recommended 👍👍👍 Dr Lisa do very soft and good

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