Chewing gum may be a habit that many have, but it brings with it different consequences for our teeth. For this reason, the following note will show how this candy affects our teeth.

It is fresh, entertaining and youthful. With different shapes and colors, chewing gum has become part of the daily life of thousands of people to freshen their breath or clean their mouths after meals. Bienestar of the El Comercio newspaper, spoke with Claudia Paredes, a dentist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, who tells us how this candy affects our teeth.

“Gums are chewing gum, that apart from being sweet, adhere to the tooth, particularly in areas where there is more depth. In the molars there are fissures that are part of the anatomy of the teeth and it is here where it adheres more easily, so reaching it with the toothbrush becomes more complicated”, explains the expert.

How does chewing gum affect our teeth?

According to the doctor, chewing gum has different consequences for our teeth among them we have:

• Tooth decay: If gum is chewed and it is not cleaned well, tooth decay occurs due to the sugar it contains.
• It puts teeth at risk after eating because it lowers the pH: This protects us from cavities, but after eating food, it drops and our teeth are more easily exposed to cavities.
• They are not made for health reasons: The chewing gums are made for entertainment purposes and to feel something sweet in the mouth.
• The jaw could be affected: If too much gum is chewed, there could be wear and tear on the joints.

On the other hand, Dr. Paredes highlights the importance of curing cavities, since if they are not cured they can progress depending on how they are found (superficial or deep), reaching the pulp of the tooth, producing an infection, which causes a lot of pain.

Sugar-free gum, another alternative to chew

Sugar-free gum can be a healthier option for your teeth and has different benefits:

• Reduces the risk of getting cavities: The American Dental Association (ADA) reported that there are studies that mention that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can prevent cavities.
• Strengthen tooth enamel: According to the ADA, when you chew xylitol-sweetened sugar-free gum, you reduce the acids in your food and help maintain our tooth enamel.

“What these chewing gums do is neutralize and eliminate part of the acid that forms in the mouth when food decomposes,” she adds.

Recommendations for people who consume chewing gum

Dr. Paredes highlights the following recommendations if you are going to eat gum with sugar:

1. Be careful with the frequency and time you chew: It is recommended to do it for 15 minutes and a maximum of 30.
2. Try sugar-free gum: This to prevent cavities in our teeth.
3. Have a good cleaning after chewing gum.

Dr. Claudia Paredes
Dentist at Clinica Ricardo Palma

Source: elcomercio.pe