Remember to Take out Your Dentures Every Night

Sometimes, protecting your oral health can seem like a chore. You may be tired of brushing and flossing regularly, and the flavoring of mouthwash can often seem too intense. Although you should not neglect the current staples of your oral health regimen, there are some additional dental health practices that you may actually enjoy. Here are a couple of them:

Chewing Gum

Many people chew sugarless gum because of its flavoring. It can also be a satisfying stress reliever to chew non-stop for a prolonged period. Nevertheless, chewing gum has oral health benefits, such as the following:

Saliva Production

As you chew gum, your salivary glands respond by secreting more saliva. Saliva in a healthy person typically has a higher pH than oral acids. Thus, copious amounts of the clear secretion can dilute and help neutralize bacterial acid that would normally harm your teeth and gums.

Bacterial acid is produced as a byproduct of the digestive process of oral bacteria. When your tooth enamel is exposed to the acid, it is demineralized. As a result, cavities are formed. Additionally, sensitive gum tissue may become inflamed from the corrosive substance.

Teeth Cleaning

Chewing gum can also help clear debris from your teeth. The stickiness of the gum adheres to leftover food, plaque, and microbes to pull them from your teeth. Consequently, if you chew gum immediately following snacks and meals, your mouth will be cleaner.

Fresher Breath

Chewing gum also results in fresher breath. Although some of the freshening is due to the aroma of the gum's flavorings, additional freshening may occur because of  natural ingredients, such as cinnamon in the gum. Cinnamon is antibacterial and can help eliminate microbes in the mouth that producer volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.

Drinking Tea

Many people enjoy the deliciousness of hot or iced tea. Due to the polyphenols in the tea, the beverage has antimicrobial properties that help eliminate damage-causing oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans. By eliminating the bacteria, the amount of acid in the mouth is minimized.

Additionally, the tea is believed to help reduce inflammation in the mouth and prevent oral bacteria from clinging to teeth and gums.

In order to experience the teeth-protecting benefits of the tea, try to consume at least three to four cups daily. Both black and green tea offer the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.

To learn additional enjoyable ways to promote oral health, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your area.