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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
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      • Dr. Ronald L. Receveur
      • Dr. Bradley Frederick
    • See Dr. Ron On TV
    • Get Dr. Ron’s Book
  • Solutions We Offer
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    • Do I Need Bone Grafting?
    • IV Sedation
    • The One Day Smile Solution
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Home > Blog > Chewing Gum and Your Teeth

Chewing Gum and Your Teeth

June 9, 2015

The oldest known piece of chewing gum is 9000 years old, and various cultures across the globe and throughout time have been chewing it ever since. Some chewed on sweetened tree resin, while others chewed on waxy plants. Whatever the ingredients are, one thing is clear, people love chewing gum.

Although gum flavored with actual sugar is well known to be harmful for your teeth, there is some debate over whether or not sugarless gum is all right. At New Albany Implants, we like to stay informed on issues related to dentistry, and we want to keep you informed, as well.

Here are some things to consider about chewing gum:

Chew After Meals

It is a myth that chewing sugarless gum before meals will decrease your appetite so you will eat less and lose weight. In fact, according to several clinical studies, chewing gum for twenty minutes after a meal will decrease your chances of tooth decay. The extra post-meal chewing increases the amount of saliva in your mouth. The chewing motion along with the saliva cleans away and neutralizes the harmful acids that eat away at your enamel, ultimately causing tooth decay.

Many brands of sugarless gum is sweetened with a plant derivative called xylitol, which has been shown to have properties that prevent tooth decay. It keeps plaque from sticking to your teeth and causing decay. There is also evidence that xylitol remineralizes tooth enamel, which means it rebuilds weakened enamel by replacing deficient calcium.

Don’t think that chewing sugarless gum is any sort of replacement for brushing and flossing, because it’s not. Chewing gum after a meal is just a boost of protection between brushing. Also, be sure to look for the ADA Seal of Approval. This will let you know that the gum is not flavored with anything that will cause cavities.

Avoid Chewing Gum Before Meals

As we mentioned before, there is little evidence to suggests that chewing gum before a meal will make you eat less. In fact, there is some evidence to suggest that chewing gum before a meal will influence you to make unhealthy food choices. Studies have that people who chew gum before a meal tend to skip over the healthy fruit and straight to salty chips and greasy hamburgers. This likely has to do with fact that most gums are mint flavored, and the mint makes the fruit taste unpleasant and bitter. this prompts people to go for the junk food instead.

Contributes to TMJ

A downside to chewing gum is that it has been linked to TMJ, temporomandibular joint, pain. However, not in a highly significant way. It is certainly true that excessive gum chewing can cause pain in your jaw and even a headache, but true TMJ disorder is more that just a sore jaw. More often than not, the pain and discomfort associated with chewing gum is because it is exacerbating a condition that already exists, not causing it.

Chewing Gum and Dental Work

It should go without saying that chewing gum is sticky, and anything that is sticky can be trouble for fillings, crowns, and bridges, especially if they it’s dental work you have had for a few years. Chewing gum should not be that big of a problem for your dental work unless it is already showing signs of wear and tear. Crowns and fillings can come loose and need to be replaced, so if you know that is the case, you may want to lay off the gum. However, if your dental work is secure and you have no reason to suspect that it is loosening, then chewing sugarless gum shouldn’t be much of a problem

Moderation Is the Key

Like most things in life, the real problems from chewing gum only seem to arise when it is chewed excessively. Moderate gum chewing, especially after meals, can actually have a very good effect on your oral health.

So if you enjoy chewing gum, just don’t do it all day, every day. Make it a treat and you will get more enjoyment and dental benefits from it.

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Contact New Albany Implants to find out what is good for your teeth and what is not.

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I had my implants 2 years ago and my bridge was loose ; i had good news as no fractured implant ( i had one done by other surgeon previously ) it was the adhesive that has worn out . Im really very please with excellent service given by Dr .Receuver and his assistant Erica ! I highly recommend this place . i had my cleaning done and the dental hygienist was superb , she explsined the proper steps to floss, water pik , then mouthwash and brush last and not to rinse with water which made sense, ive to many dental hygienist but no one can can give me a clear answer . excellent service and staff . im going to miss this as im moving to florida !

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My old body has enough titanium to build an F-35. Having may joint replacements requires special dental car. Are you prepared for a 77 year old guy who has had a little too much fun when I was young and and have titanium in my knees back and neck. I also have an aortic stint that has titanium mesh. I think I am missing 9 teeth some of which has had a root canal, crown then extraction.

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I normally don’t do reviews on places I go to for anything but the guys and girls at New Albany Implants are AMAZING People and very professional. The staff I can’t speak highly enough about them. There knowledge is OUTSTANDING And the Dr. That helped me was very respectable man. I believe his name was Dr.Brad. I’m really not a people person but Dr.brad treated me like he had known me forever so that made my uncomfortable problem not so uncomfortable so THANK YOU! Dr.brad and your staff for all y’all’s help. I would NOT recommend any place else.

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888-469-3982 Request an Appointment

Locations

819 Mt. Tabor Road, New Albany, IN 47150

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
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Latest Blog Articles

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You can come to one office to get: Teeth extractionsIV sedationImplant placementsNew teeth When you visit the ...

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In her line of work, Nancy knew that nice teeth would be beneficial. After doing some research, she decided to come to ...

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888-469-3982 Request an Appointment

Locations

819 Mt. Tabor Road, New Albany, IN 47150

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

Make It Easy to Get Your New Teeth

You can come to one office to get: Teeth extractionsIV sedationImplant placementsNew teeth When you visit the ...

Read More
Bad Teeth Can Interfere With Your Happiness

In her line of work, Nancy knew that nice teeth would be beneficial. After doing some research, she decided to come to ...

Read More
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