Glen Burnie’s Trusted Dentist

Glen Burnie Dentist | Chewing Gum for Your Oral Health

Dentist in Glen Burnie, MD

Dentist in Glen Burnie, MD

dentist in 21061Sugary, sticky, and sweet candies can damage your teeth by increasing your risk of decay. Though gum can be considered a type of candy, chewing sugarless gum approved by the ADA can actually help protect teeth and prevent tooth decay. Here’s what you need to know about gum and your teeth.

How it Works

Chewing gum helps increase the production of saliva. Chewing sugarless gum for twenty minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay because the saliva helps wash away food and other debris from the surface of your teeth. Increased salivary flow can also neutralize acids that bacteria produce inside your mouth. Over time, acid can break down tooth enamel, leading to decay. Saliva contains calcium and phosphate, which aid in strengthening tooth enamel.

Look for the ADA Seal

The ADA Seal assures you that the gum is sugarless and has met the ADA’s criteria for safety and effectiveness. ADA-labeled products are tested to ensure they provide the benefits guaranteed by the seal. Companies must verify all relevant data with the ADA to become certified. If you are unable to brush for a short period of time, chewing gum with the ADA seal is a great option to help clean your teeth after a meal or snack.

Can I Stop Brushing if I Chew Gum?

No. Chewing gum for twenty minutes after a meal helps but is not a replacement for brushing and flossing. You should brush at least twice each day, for two full minutes. Chewing gum also does not eliminate your need for regular dental examinations. Our dentist recommends scheduling two visits each year, with additional visits necessary for high-risk patients with oral health conditions.

Chewing sugarless gum has noticeable benefits for your oral health, such as increasing the production of saliva. While this can help prevent the build up of decay-causing bacteria, chewing gum should not be used as a substitute for brushing or flossing. Our dentist recommends that if you are chewing gum, be sure to choose an ADA approved brand of sugarless gum.

Schedule your visit to our office and experience what modern dentistry can do for you.

Contact Our Glen Burnie Dental Office

Glen Burnie, MD Dental Office

7711 Quarterfield Road, Suite C-1
Glen Burnie, MD 21061

New Patients (410) 384-6701
Current Patients (410) 760-4445

We proudly serve Glen Burnie, Fort Meade, Severn, Pasadena, Saverna Park, and surrounding areas

We Welcome New Patients

Read Our Glen Burnie Dental News

Dentist in Glen Burnie, MD

Top 5 Best and Worst Foods for Your Teeth | Gle...

October 1, 2023

When it comes to your oral health, what you should eat is just as important as what you shouldn’t...