You’re told, from a very early age, to take care of your teeth because they’re the only ones you’ll ever get. Even Dr. Seuss wrote a book about it! If he’s telling you to do it, you better listen, right?

Yes, you should. But one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is enjoying some gum. There are some schools of thought that suggest gum is bad for your teeth and oral health. The opposite is, in fact, true. How is that possible? Well, allow us to elaborate.

Increased saliva production
Chewing gum increases the amount of saliva your mouth produces. This is a great thing, since saliva has a ton of different oral health benefits.

Well, when you increase saliva production, you’re helping your mouth better fight plaque buildup, which strengthens your teeth and reduces tooth decay. Without this, you may have a harder time maintaining great oral health.

Go sugarless
The only gum certified by the American Dental Association is gum sweetened without sugar. And that makes sense, because you don’t want something sugary in your mouth for that length of time. It can cause of a litany of problems. That’s just asking for a cavity. Sugarfree gum tastes great and won’t harm your teeth. In fact, it’ll help promote better overall oral health.

Here, at High Desert Dental, in Boise, Idaho, we are dedicated to helping you have great oral health. Call us today at 208-350-6795 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Trista Pottenger.