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encourage you to go ahead and chew your gum. But before you pop a piece in your mouth, remember these three rules: 1. choose a sugar-free gum; 2. consider xylitol; and 3. no marathon chewing.
How Sugar-Free Gum Can Prevent Cavities
Our Riverside dentists agree that brushing your teeth after every meal is a good relies on sugar, reintroducing this acid forming substance into your mouth can actually have opposite effects by contributing to cavities. Along with encouraging saliva to wash away bacteria, sugar-free chewing gum can also help dislodge food particles stuck between your teeth.
How Xylitol Fights Back Against Gum Disease and Tooth Decay
May gum manufacturers have taken sugar-free gum one step further by introducing this miracle ingredient into their product. A natural sweetener, xylitol tastes similar to sugar but actually kills pathogens instead of feeding them. Xylitol attracts the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and , traps them, and starves them. Look on the ingredients list for sugar-free gum made with xylitol. Trident is one of the major brands of chewing gum with this sugar alternative.
Spit Your Gum Out to Prevent TMJ Issues
Fifteen minutes is the maximum time you should chew your gum. Any time over that could result in jaw muscle exhaustion. Continued excessive gum chewing may even create problems with your jawbone health, known as . Set a timer on your phone if you must, but avoid chewing gum for long periods of time as the harmful effects may outweigh the benefits.
Preventive Dentistry in Riverside
For all your preventive dentistry needs, visitRiverside Dental Group. To schedule an appointment, you can call ourMagnolia Avenue office at (951) 689-5031 or our Van Buren Boulevard office at (951) 776-9001.We take care of patients throughout Riverside County, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley.
