Studies about chewing gum provide a lot of evidence to support the idea that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes or more after eating food can help you prevent tooth decay. Gum can clean your smile right after you eat, when your teeth are too sensitive for a toothbrush. Furthermore, it increases the flow of saliva to more effectively wash away food particles and plaque that are lingering on the teeth. When you have a good saliva flow, your tooth enamel can be better protected from erosion since harmful acids become neutralized and saliva is full of substances that strengthen tooth enamel, such as fluoride, phosphates and calcium.

In order to reap all the exciting benefits of chewing gum, make sure that the gum you choose is sugarless so that you aren’t adding more sugar to your smile that will feed bacteria and reduce any positive side effects of gum chewing.

It’s important that you never try to replace brushing or flossing with chewing gum, which is only intended to offer extra protection for your teeth. If you have questions about gum and your dental health in Cincinnati, Ohio, schedule a visit to Elite Cosmetic & Family Dentistry by contacting our dentist, Dr. Alexis Mai, at 513-771-5212 today.

The post Your Gum Chewing Habit Could be a Benefit to Your Smile first appeared on Elite Cosmetic & Family Dentistry.

Flossing should be done once a day. Use a single-filament thread, when possible, to avoid fraying and shredding of the floss. It is best if you use an 18” piece of floss, as this allows you to use a new section of thread for each tooth. This avoids cross-contamination within the mouth. Floss all the way around each tooth–including behind the back molars! If flossing is difficult for you, talk with Dr. Alexis Mai about flossing alternatives. Such interdental cleaning alternatives could include water flossers, pre-strung flossers, or floss for sensitive gums.

After eating your teeth are more sensitive to abrasion. This is especially true after eating or drinking acidic foods. It is best to wait a while before brushing, as both toothpaste and the act of brushing itself are abrasive to teeth. However, it is also best to clear the food particles and debris away from the teeth as soon as possible. To accommodate both requirements, try chewing a piece of sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating. The gum stimulates saliva flow, which in turn cleans your mouth. Saliva is your body’s first defense against cavities. This is a great way to clean your mouth, especially after eating.

For more information, feel free to call Elite Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Cincinnati, Ohio at 513-771-5212. Our team is here to help you, and we look forward to talking with you!  

The post Flossing and Chewing Gum: Unexpected Allies first appeared on Elite Cosmetic & Family Dentistry.