When you chew gum, it activates saliva glands and helps destroy bacteria. In that way, gum does help to fight off cavity-causing germs, but that isn't the only weapon in that chewy confection's arsenal. In fact, the main property that makes the substance gum is what gives it excellent bacteria-fighting power.
Numerous studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum after eating helps rinse off the teeth and neutralize the acids produced by the bacteria in plaque. It is only sugarless gum that helps keep your mouth clean. Chewing a piece of gum made with regular sugar does not help clean your mouth.
Chew on a Piece of Xylitol Gum
Most sugars break down and feed harmful bacteria. Those bacteria then produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel. So chewing xylitol gum that does not feed bacteria means fewer bacteria, and as a result, a more balanced PH, healthier, stronger teeth and a fresher smelling mouth.
Ultimately, the best at-home way to remove the bacteria from the teeth is by flossing and brushing regularly. That is also one of the most appropriate ways to remove the bacteria from the surface of the gums. Of course, visiting your dentist at least twice yearly also helps to keep bacteria from developing.
A new study suggests that just 10 minutes of chewing gum can remove 100 million bacteria from your mouth. It adds that it is as good as flossing! Researchers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands found that chewing gum can trap and remove bacteria from the oral cavity.
Research corroborates that constantly chewing gum, at all hours of the day can create problems like jaw pain, headaches, diarrhea, and tooth decay. There is no ideal time frame for chewing gum.
Oils such as eucalyptol, menthol, and tea tree, can help kill harmful bacteria in your mouth. This keeps your gums from getting inflamed. It's for this reason you'll often find these ingredients in toothpaste and mouthwash.
Xylitol helps encourage saliva production and kills cavity causing bacteria. Clinical studies have shown that chewing (sugar free) gum stimulates salivary flow of saliva by 10 times. Other research shows that chewing sugar free gum for 20 minutes after eating or drinking can help reduce tooth decay by up to 40%.
There are two tools you can use to clean your tongue: your toothbrush or a tongue scraper, which you can find for cheap in the dental section of most drugstores. It's most effective to clean your tongue after brushing but before rinsing so that there is still some toothpaste residue in your mouth.
Choose a gum containing xylitol, as it reduces the bacteria that cause cavities and plaque. Brands that are the best are Pür, XyloBurst, Xylitol, Peppersmith, Glee Gum, and Orbit.
Constant gum chewing puts excessive force on your temporomandibular joints, muscles and teeth, which leads to overstress, imbalance and misalignment. This can cause: Clicking or popping in one or both temporomandibular joints. Headaches.
Research shows that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay. That's because the act of chewing increases the flow of saliva in your mouth which washes away food and other debris. The extra saliva also provides more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel.
The causes. Poor dental hygiene: When we eat food, some of the food gets stuck in our teeth or other parts of the mouth. These particles later become the medium for bacterial growth. To prevent this from happening, it is suggested by dental professionals that people rinse their mouth after every meal.
Antibiotics are also prescribed to clear bacterial infections in the mouth. Saltwater rinse comes in handy when the stones are smaller in size.
Rinse with salt water
Rinsing with salt water creates a saline mixture to safely begin sterilizing the infection. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of table salt with 1/2 cup of warm tap water. Swish in your mouth for a few minutes before spitting. Repeat every few hours if needed.
What can water do? Water helps remove the bacteria and sugars from your mouth with every sip! Thus, breaking the cycle and helping prevent cavities from forming.
Brushing your teeth twice a day, every day does a great job at removing the buildup of dangerous bacteria that could lead to gum disease and perhaps even more serious health concerns.
You need to brush your teeth to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. This is done by removing plaque, the transparent layer of bacteria that coats the teeth. When you brush correctly, you eliminate the plaque build-up and bacteria that can otherwise collect between your teeth and on your tongue.
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 .
Chewing gum strengthens your jaw muscles, which will encourage them to stay in place as you sleep. This is essentially a workout for your mouth. Chew gum for about 10-15 minutes right before bed. Then brush your teeth to make sure they stay clean through the night.
Chewing gum for hours on end can cause damage to your teeth and gums. After constant chewing, there can be a buildup of acid that can weaken your enamel, leading to chipping and cracking in the long run.
Gum guidelines
Chewing sugarless gum is also beneficial for teeth: It increases the flow of saliva, thereby washing away acids produced by bacteria in plaque, which decreases risk for tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association. 2. Limit gum to five or six pieces per day.