One of the ways we try to help you achieve dental savings is by sharing tips on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This usually involves telling you to brush and floss, and get regular checkups (using our discount dental plans, of course).
Here’s a tip that should be pretty easy to swallow – pop a piece of sugarless gum in your mouth and start chewing!
Studies have that chewing sugarless gum is good for your oral health. The American Dental Association (ADA) awarded the ADA Seal to Wrigley’s for presenting scientific evidence that its sugar-free gum is effective for specific oral health issues, including reducing cavities and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).
How does it work? According to the studies, chewing sugarless gum reduces plaque acid, which can lead to tooth decay. After eating, the layer of bacteria on your teeth, or plaque, turns sugar into an acid that dissolves the hard enamel surface of your teeth. This can lead to cavities. Chewing sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which helps to wash away the acid that is created when food is broken down.
All that saliva stimulated by gum chewing has another benefit: it bathes the teeth in calcium and phosphate, which strengthen tooth enamel. Do you reach for a piece of gum after a meal? That’s one habit you don’t want to break! Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after eating helps prevent tooth decay.
By helping to prevent tooth decay and gingivitis, chewing sugarless gum can keep you from needing dental work, which translates to dental savings. But don’t skip regular teeth cleanings and x-rays. Remember that our dental plans give you access to discounts on most dental procedures, including checkups, cleaning and x-rays. You’ll see real dental savings on your first visit, and by taking care of your oral health, you can help prevent the need for expensive dental treatments in the future.
So check out the dental plans that can help you get significant dental savings, every time you visit the dentist. Remember to brush and floss, and keep on chewing sugarless gum (with your mouth closed, of course)!