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    Call Today888-469-3982 Request an Appointment
    819 Mt. Tabor Road, New Albany, IN 47150
    Call Today888-469-3982 Request an Appointment
    819 Mt. Tabor Road, New Albany, IN 47150
    • Home
    • About Us
      • Meet the Doctors
        • Dr. Ronald L. Receveur
        • Dr. Bradley Frederick
      • See Dr. Ron On TV
      • Get Dr. Ron’s Book
    • Solutions We Offer
      • All-In-One-Place™
      • Do I Need Bone Grafting?
      • IV Sedation
      • The One Day Smile Solution
      • All-On-4 Zirconium Bridges
    • Patient Testimonials
      • Smile Gallery
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    Home > Blog > Can Sugar-Free Gum Aid An Aging Mouth?

    Can Sugar-Free Gum Aid An Aging Mouth?

    May 16, 2016

    No one wants to think about aging, but we all have to face it at some point in our lives. We all get old, and with it comes a whole bunch of changes in our bodies, minds, and our mouths. The oral care requirement for aging patients is different than it is for younger people, yet so many of us fail to take that into account when planning our daily oral care routines.

    We see plenty of older New Albany residents at our office, and there are always a few tips we can give them to improve their oral health. One of the most important parts of aging is preventing a dry mouth, something that affects almost every aging person. The importance of saliva can’t be stated enough!

    What Does Saliva Do?

    Your mouth’s natural moisturizing system is good for a lot more than just helping you chew food. It’s responsible for keeping your mouth healthy and clean too.

    Saliva is almost all water, but the remaining few percent, made up of enzymes, antibacterial compounds, and other helpful things, makes it essential for oral health. When you eat any foods containing sugar the oral bacteria in your mouth goes into full-on attack mode, transforming that sugar into acids that eat away at your teeth and irritate your gums. Saliva fights back against plaque bacteria by neutralizing acids, killing bacteria, and helping your mouth wash away food particles that fuel the destruction.

    While a healthy amount of saliva won’t prevent damage it does keep it under control and aid in continued oral health. Without it your mouth would be a mess of bacteria, cavities, and bleeding gums.

    What Happens When You Don’t Have Enough Saliva?

    Have you ever had a dry mouth that left you feeling like your tongue and teeth were covered in a sticky, gross slime? That’s a bunch of extra oral bacteria spreading like mad because there isn’t enough saliva in your mouth.

    Having a dry mouth makes it much easier for oral bacteria to spread since there isn’t enough liquid to wash it away. That means bad breath, more cavities, a higher chance of gum disease, and a mouth saturated in plaque acids that destroy a healthy mouth.

    This state is an unfortunate reality for a lot of us as we age. Our salivary glands simply don’t produce as much as they used to when we get older, and when you combine that with daily prescriptions and other health conditions that make things worse you have a recipe for disaster!

    The Easiest Way To Stimulate Saliva Production

    Dentists have been recommending sugarless gum for a long time, and now many are starting to see the benefit of regular gum chewing for older patients with dry mouths too. Chewing stimulates saliva production even in the most dry of mouths, and chewing sugar-free gum is a great way to up production and clear away bacteria.

    Gum, especially when chewed after a meal, is a great way to freshen your mouth. It picks up food particles, bacteria, and acid. What it doesn’t pick up gets washed away by the increased amount of saliva you’re creating.

    We recommend gum sweetened with xylitol. Not only is it just as sweet as gum containing sugar, but xylitol is actually able to fight oral bacteria as well. It inhibits the ability of bacteria to eat sugar, and can actually kill some strains completely. Xylitol can also prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth, making it easier for saliva to wash it away.

    Gum Isn’t Enough By Itself

    Chewing sugar-free gum can be a great boost to your oral health, especially if you’re suffering from a chronic dry mouth. It’s not enough on its own to keep your mouth healthy, though, so be sure you’re taking good care of your smile in the following ways:

    • Always brush twice a day before meals. The less bacteria is in your mouth before you eat the less damage that can be done to your teeth. Don’t brush after you eat – plaque acids weaken your enamel and make it easier to damage your teeth with your brush.
    • Floss every night – that’s not an option! Floss removes bacteria from the sensitive spaces between your teeth were gum disease and decay are more likely to form. It only takes 24 hours for bacteria to irritate your gums, so do everything you can to minimize the damage.
    • Make sure you’re seeing the dentist twice a year. Regular preventive appointments are an essential part of maintaining a healthy mouth.

    We Can Help

    Keeping smiles in peak condition is what we do at New Albany Implants. If you have any questions about your dental care you can contact us at 888-469-3982 or you can request an appointment online. We look forward to helping you!

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    What Our Patients are Saying

    J. T. (Verified Patient) | Feb 11, 2021
    5
    Went for consultation. Staff was so friendly and helpful. Dr. Receiver was so knowledgeable and...
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    Went for consultation. Staff was so friendly and helpful. Dr. Receiver was so knowledgeable and helpful and only wants to do what is absolutely necessary, no up selling at all. I will be going back yo get all my work completed in a couple of visits. Highly recommend this office to anyone needing dental work. The best part is I will nap right through it all!

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    I HAD TOP DENTAL IMPLANT. THE SURGICAL EXPERIENCE AND PLACEMENT WAS FANTASTIC. DR RECEVEUR AND HIS STAFF ARE VERY CARING. MY ONE COMPLAINT IS THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO COME IN FOR AN ANNUAL "EXAM" AND XRAYS TO MAINTAIN THE WARRANTY BUT THEY DO NOT ACCEPT INSURANCE. THEY DO NOT GIVE ANY DISCOUNTS THAT INSURANCE WOULD NORMALLY GIVE AS THEY ARE OUT OF NETWORK, SO END UP PAYING MUCH HIGHER RATES. OTHER THAN THIS ONE AREA OF CONFUSION I WOULD RATE THEIR OFFICE AS EXCEPTIONAL.

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    Staff at all levels were friendly and accommodating! Dr. Frederick and Janna listened to my wants and concerns at my consultation. By the time I was finished they had answered all of my questions and we had a plan to move forward. I am looking forward to my next visit.

    S. A. (Verified Patient) | Jan 27, 2021
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    If you are looking for a friendly, patient, understanding staff and want perfection, you are picking the best!!!!

    M. W. (Verified Patient) | Jan 27, 2021
    5
    Excellent Doctors, hygienists and staff.

    Excellent Doctors, hygienists and staff.

    P. S. (Verified Patient) | Jan 19, 2021
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    Awesome place. Awesome people. A comfortable place to have that smile taken care of.

    Awesome place. Awesome people. A comfortable place to have that smile taken care of.

    C. R. (Verified Patient) | Jan 07, 2021
    5
    Love going here! Staff is extra friendly and kind. Of course it is difficult to...
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    Love going here! Staff is extra friendly and kind. Of course it is difficult to talk with your mouth being worked on, but the dental technician you see remembers the things you all talk about at the 6 month appointments, and is always so friendly as well. They also give you really practical and simple ways to improve your dental hygiene, and i have started brushing everyday now because of their guidance. Could not recommend them more!

    B. S. (Verified Patient) | Dec 14, 2020
    5
    Professional and personable staff. I truly felt like I was being cared for not "worked...
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    Professional and personable staff. I truly felt like I was being cared for not "worked on". They seek to make my experience as comfortable as possible. Great job.

    K. B. (Verified Patient) | Dec 11, 2020
    5
    The dentists and staff here are marvelous. They ended up having to deliver some rather...
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    The dentists and staff here are marvelous. They ended up having to deliver some rather bad news to me, but it was done with courtesy and respect. I really appreciate that.

    K. B. (Verified Patient) | Dec 11, 2020
    5
    The dentists and staff here are marvelous. They ended up having to deliver some rather...
    Read More

    The dentists and staff here are marvelous. They ended up having to deliver some rather bad news to me, but it was done with courtesy and respect. I really appreciate that.

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    819 Mt. Tabor Road, New Albany, IN 47150
    • Mon: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
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    Call Today to make an Appointment 888-469-3982 Request an Appointment

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    • Monday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    • Tuesday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
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    • Thursday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    • Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    • Saturday Closed
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    You need replacement teeth. You need teeth removed. You want dental implants and restorations that are strong and ...

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    Choose ‘Beautiful’ Replacement Teeth

    Brenda is open about the problems she was having with her teeth. She was in pain, and she avoided eating many foods as ...

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    Call Today to make an Appointment 888-469-3982 Request an Appointment

    Location

    819 Mt. Tabor Road, New Albany, IN 47150
    View Larger Map

    Office Hours

    • Monday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    • Tuesday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    • Wednesday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    • Thursday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    • Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    • Saturday Closed
    • Sunday Closed

    Latest Blog Articles

    Get Your New Teeth the Easy Way

    You need replacement teeth. You need teeth removed. You want dental implants and restorations that are strong and ...

    Read More
    Choose ‘Beautiful’ Replacement Teeth

    Brenda is open about the problems she was having with her teeth. She was in pain, and she avoided eating many foods as ...

    Read More
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