Going to the dentist isn't any fun, but it is one of those things that just has to be done. For years, I fought the process and didn't go for my regular cleanings and in the end, it sure didn't pay to do so. I ended up spending ten times as much time in the chair and a boat-load of money in dental repairs. If you don't like going to the dentist, you can make it easier on yourself. This blog will show you a few tips that can help you improve the experience and get through the treatment without as much discomfort.
going to the dentist with less anxiety
Reasons To Trade Candy For Sugarless Gum
Jordan Arnold
Candy makes a delicious treat, but it can wreak havoc on your oral health. Here are a few reasons why you should trade candy for sugarless gum:
Candy contains sugar that feeds oral bacteria.
The bacteria in your mouth have a favorite food, and it is sugar. Oral microbes can digest simple carbohydrates and during their digestive processes, acid is released. It is this bacterial acid that causes tooth decay.
The acid dissolves the tooth enamel, causing cavities to develop. Nevertheless, the acid could be minimized by alleviating the food source of the microbes.
Candy promotes tooth decay by providing sugar to the microorganisms that digest it and release the decay-causing acid. However, sugarless gum contains no sugar and therefore does not promote tooth decay. In fact, some types of sugarless gum actually protect the teeth. Gum that contains xylitol as a sweetener or is flavored with cinnamon can actually help kill oral bacteria associated with tooth decay and bad breath.
Candy can damage dental work.
Candy that is sticky or hard can cause damage to dental work. Toffee may pull fillings from their place, and hard candy can chip or break crowns or veneers as you chew.
Gum, on the underhand, is soft in texture and rarely causes damage to the teeth. Some gum is even formulated not to stick to dental work.
Candy can stain the teeth.
Some candy contains large amounts of pigments or dyes that can result in dental discoloration. Sugarless gum, however, can actually whiten the teeth. When gum is chewed immediately after a snack or meal, it helps pull food particles and the pigments that they contain from the teeth before the colorants settle into the pores of the enamel.
Also, some sugarless gum contains enamel whiteners, such as titanium dioxide, malic acid, or baking soda. The titanium dioxide, like the baking soda, polishes away light dental stains. The malic acid can dissolve the stains to make it easier for them to be removed.
Candy does not usually strengthen the jaws.
Candy rarely needs to be chewed long enough to strengthen the jaws. However, gum encourages the jaw muscles to move consistently. Also, the bone of the jaw is strengthened as you chew. The bite pressure is transferred to the jawbone to encourage the bone to produce additional cells that maintain the density of the jawbone.
For more reasons to exchange candy for sugarless gum, consult with a dentist like Tore D Steinberg DDS PC.
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