There are a lot of things you probably already know about oral care. For example, you more than likely make sure you get in a couple good tooth brushing sessions a day and floss after meals. There's also a good chance that you even use mouthwash before you go to bed. However, one thing you may not know is just how much chewing sugarless gum can actually help your teeth. This article will teach you about three ways that sugarless gum can help your teeth stay in good shape much longer and even keep their nice and white look for longer periods of time.

1: Sugarless gum can help prevent cavities

When food particles are allowed to stay on your teeth for an extended period of time plaque can develop. This plaque is what contributes to the development of cavities in your teeth. Flossing after you eat can help to remove larger bits of food that are lodged between your teeth, but it doesn't get all of the very small pieces of food between them or remove the food particles that are actually on the surfaces or in the grooves of your molars.

Chewing sugarless gum will pull those particles out of the grooves of your teeth, remove food film off the surfaces and get the tiny pieces left behind after flossing from between the teeth. In this way, sugarless gum can help to prevent cavities from developing.

2: Sugarless gum can prevent the development of gum disease

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and it is generally the first step in the development of gum disease. Gingivitis is caused by bacteria that is in plaque buildup. As explained above, plaque buildup occurs when food particles are allowed to sit in the mouth. If gingivitis isn't caught and treated right away then it can lead to periodontal disease which is also referred to as gum disease.

Since chewing sugarless gum after you eat helps stop the development of plaque there will be less chance of the bacteria that causes gingivitis showing up and causing problems down the road for you.

3: Sugarless gum can help keep your teeth whiter for longer

A lot of the drinks you drink and the foods you eat can cause stains to develop on the surfaces of your teeth. Coffee, tea and red wine are a few examples of teeth staining drinks. Red sauces, food coloring and soy sauce are some examples of foods that cause discoloration and staining. The longer these foods are allowed to be in contact with your teeth, the more chances of you needing to whiten your teeth sooner.Chewing sugarless gum after consuming these types of foods will prevent them from lingering on your teeth and this helps them to stay white longer.

For more information, contact companies like Pittsburgh Dental Spa.