Chewing gum sounds like the last thing you’d want to do to fight tooth decay. But as it turns out, this habit can be good for your teeth too.

Researchers from King’s College London say that chewing gum can help prevent tooth decay, provided that the bubble gum in question is sugar-free. They arrived at this conclusion after reviewing studies that examined the effect of chewing sugar-free gum on cavities in children and adults. Those who chew sugar-free gum are 28 percent less likely to develop cavities than those who don’t chew this gum at all.

According to the researchers, chewing sugar-free gum works because it boosts the release of saliva in your mouth, which helps neutralize and rinse away acids that form when you eat. These acids can lead to cavities and typically stick around in the mouth for 20 minutes after a meal.

Sugar-free is an important distinction here because while chewing sweetened gums can also cause you to produce more saliva, the bad bacteria in your mouth use sugar to produce acids that break down tooth enamel. So instead of keeping your teeth healthy, sugary bubble gums do the exact opposite: They cause tooth decay.

10 habits to prevent tooth decay

Check out the following tips to keep your teeth healthy:

1. Brush your teeth before bed. It’s important to brush your teeth before going to bed because it gets rid of germs and plaques that have accumulated in your mouth. Sadly, many of us neglect oral care at night, leaving those plaques to harden and develop into tartar. To prevent tooth decay, devote a couple of minutes to oral care before snuggling up in bed.
2. Brush properly. How you brush your teeth is equally important. But what is the right way to go about it? Experts advise moving your toothbrush in gentle, circular motions and brushing all sides to clean both the inner and outer surfaces of your teeth.
3. Clean your tongue. Plaque can also build up on your tongue, which can lead to bad breath and other issues. Gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth to boost your oral health.
4. Floss. Flossing is an important habit that many people neglect to do. It gets rid of food residues stuck between your teeth, stimulates the gums, reduces plaque and helps lower gum inflammation. It will make your gums bleed and swell at first, but the bleeding will eventually abate the more you floss.
5. Try flossing alternatives. Have a hard time flossing? Try alternatives to string floss like oral irrigators, interdental brushes, toothpicks, floss picks and tape floss. Don’t let your flossing difficulties stop you from cleaning your teeth properly.
6. Consider mouthwash. Like flossing, rinsing with mouthwash is something many people fail to do. But this habit is just as important as brushing and flossing your teeth. It reduces the amount of acid in the mouth, cleans hard-to-brush areas, re-mineralizes the teeth and makes your breath extra fresh. You can choose from a wide variety of mouthwash at the store or make your own mouthwash using safe and natural ingredients.
7. Eat crispy fruits and veggies. Fresh fruits and vegetables help keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Raw and crunchy foods like apples, carrots and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath, while leafy greens are rich in folic acid which promotes a healthy mouth. Additionally, fruits and veggies contain lots of antioxidants that help protect your gums from cell damage and bacterial infection.
8. Drink more water. Water is good for oral health because it washes away sticky and acidic residues after a meal.
9. Limit sugary and acidic foods. As mentioned before, sugar gets converted into acids that can erode tooth enamel, just like the compounds from acidic fruits, teas and coffee.
10. See a dentist twice a year. You’re going to have to overcome your fear of dentists if you wish to keep prevent tooth decay. You see, even the most dutiful brushers and flossers need to see a dentist regularly. Not only can a dentist remove hard-to-remove tartar, but he can also spot cavities tucked away at the back of your teeth.

Developing good oral care habits is your best protection against tooth decay. Be sure to brush your teeth, floss and eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and veggies, among other things, to keep your teeth healthy.

Sources:

DailyMail.co.uk

Healthline.com

NYTimes.com

TheThingsWellMake.com