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Many youngsters enjoy chewing gum. Its soft, rubbery texture makes for a fun and satisfying sensory experience that kids enjoy. It soothes and engages them. And who can resist blowing bubbles? But a stick of gum has more benefits than simply making a kid happy. Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay!
At the office of Dr. Delaney Pediatric Dentistry, we are experts at diagnosing your child’s dental issues as well as providing the treatment needed to maintain his or her excellent oral health. Everyone here will take as much time as needed to address your and your child’s every concern and explain your options in care.
Sugarless gum can help your child’s teeth by boosting his (or her) mouth’s production of saliva. People don’t give much thought to saliva, but it performs many important jobs. In addition to helping us speak and eat, it keeps our teeth strong, helps prevent cavities and washes away food particles.
In fact, saliva plays a major role in good oral health. It helps wash away food particles and other kinds of debris, neutralizes the acids that oral bacteria produce and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth.
When choosing a sugar-free gum for your child, make sure that the packaging is marked with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. The Seal assures you that the gum has no sugar and meets the ADA’s parameters for safety and efficacy. ADA-approved chewing gums get their saccharinity from non-cavity-causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol.
There are some caveats when indulging in chewing gum. The manner and concentration with which your child’s jaw grinds up food are different from when he chews gum. Gum requires his jaw to move more recurrently and forcefully. Chewing too often and too intensely could bring on jaw pain and headaches, as well as put him at risk for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. And remember that sugar-free gum is helpful in the fight against tooth decay, but it’s no substitute for his regular oral care routine.
Dr. Delaney Pediatric Dentistry’s friendly professionals are eager to help you and your child feel relaxed while receiving superior care. For more information about how we can help your child, please call us to schedule an appointment.
By Dr. Delaney Pediatric Dentistry
September 30, 2024
