Does chewing gum hurt your teeth? I mean chewing gum a lot, not just after meals.
Jessica from Pennsylvania
Jessica,
We used to think, in dentistry, that chewing gum was bad for your teeth, especially if it had sugar in it. But it cleans your teeth, and it stimulates the flow of saliva, which is very healthy for your teeth. It helps combat tooth decay, and is a good substitute for toothbrushing if you don’t have a brush with you.
As long as you chew it for long enough that the sugar is gone, it doesn’t reallly hurt your teeth.
However, if you have TMJ problems (temporo-mandibular joint disorder), you could be overworking your jaw muscles and they could become sore or go into spasms. But if your jaw muscles aren’t bothering you, then I wouldn’t worry about that.
Dr. Hall
Other links:
Which is the best toothbrush?
Which is the best toothpaste?
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About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.
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