Excess plaque, food particles, sugar residue and bacterial matter in your mouth can increase the presence of plaque acids in your mouth. Over time this can affect the mineral strength of your tooth enamel, which could increase your chances of suffering from cavities.
After a meal your mouth’s natural saliva production helps to loosen food particles and plaque buildup. If you suffer from chronic dry mouth you might find some help from periodically chewing a sugarless gum that has been approved by the American Dental Association.
These chewing gums are typically flavored by substances like maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol. These are sugar alcohol compounds that are known to not promote bacterial growth. The ADA’s Seal of Acceptance is never applied to brands of chewing gum that use sugar as a sweetener.
Of course chewing sugarless gum is not a viable alternative for brushing or flossing your teeth. It is merely a convenient way to help loosen stray food particles and stimulating saliva production to moisten your mouth. You will need to brush your teeth each morning and night as well as remembering to floss at least once per day.
If you are in the Pulaski, Tennessee, area and you have an oral hygiene concern, you can always call (931) 277-4666 to schedule a dental checkup with a dentist like Dr. Nathan Owens and the staff specialists at Owens Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.