According to the Simmons National Consumer Survey, about 165 million North Americans chewed gum in 2019. Little did they know that they were doing their teeth and gums a massive favor, especially when they purchased gum that was sugar-free. If you can’t go a day or two without breaking out a piece of chewing gum, your addiction is doing you more good than harm (yes, you heard that correctly). Read on to learn how, unlike most candy, chewing gum can do wonders for your dental care in Brampton.
A Natural Brush For Your Teeth
Before you read all of these amazing facts about chewing gum, it’s important to realize that the only way it can optimize your oral health is if you’re still diligent about brushing, flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and visiting your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. In addition to all of these great habits, sugar-free gum can help naturally scrub away food particles and plaque from your teeth, reducing your risk of developing oral health problems. Not to mention, it’s also known to boost your saliva production. Because your saliva has the power to neutralize enamel-eroding acids in your mouth, producing more of it provides your teeth and gums with more protection from cavities and decay.
Anti-Cavity Ingredients Found In Gum
Even if you love sweets, you’ll like sugar-free gum. It contains an artificial sweetener known as Xylitol that is extracted from birch wood and is naturally found in many fruits and vegetables. It’s commonly used in sugar-free chewing gums, mints, and other candies.
Xylitol doesn’t just help crave your sweet tooth without ruining your oral health. It is also added to dental care products to protect teeth from decay and dry mouth, which can lead to an accumulation of harmful oral bacteria. While Xylitol tastes sweet, unlike sugar, harmful oral bacteria can’t convert it into acids that lead to enamel erosion. Instead, it helps control and reduce the buildup of decay-causing bacteria found in your saliva and plaque.
Some Brands of Chewing Gums Can Even Strengthen Your Enamel
Enamel erosion unfortunately happens over time, leaving your pearly whites vulnerable against harmful oral bacteria and common oral health problems. However, some chewing gum companies are starting to add a unique dental material called Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, also known as CPP-ACP. It’s a milk product that helps rebuild your tooth enamel and protect you from cavity formation. The material binds with your enamel to make it stronger.
Some chewing gum and dental hygiene product companies are realizing just how beneficial this substance is, which is why they’re beginning to include it into their products to help re-mineralize enamel and prevent the formation of common oral health problems.
Sometimes regular brushing and flossing aren’t enough. Fortunately, there are easy ways to optimize your oral health that require little to no effort on your part. If you’d like to ward off cavities and harmful oral bacteria, simply keep a pack of sugar-free chewing gum in your car, bedroom, and at your desk at work.
About the Author
Dr. Vince Fava has been helping his patients maintain healthy and happy smiles for over 24 years. He has completed advanced training and continuing education to provide his patients with high-quality and amazing dental healthcare. He enjoys giving his patients the tools and knowledge they need to enjoy their smiles for the rest of their lives. For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning, visit Torbram Dental’s website or call 905-792-7163.
Simrit has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She started her career with Assisting/Treatment co-ordinating and then moved on to becoming the Hygiene Co Ordinator in 2005. In 2012 she took on a new role as the Marketing Director. Though she loved being the Marketing Director, in 2015 she became the Office Manager of Torbram Dental. She completed her Level 1 Dental Assisting program with Career Canada in 1996 and then went on to complete her Level II Dental Assisting Diploma with Southwestern Medix in 1999. That is when she received NDAEB Certification. Simrit has been and still is an active member of the Ontario Dental Assistants Association since 2000. She enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and two kids and loves to explore new restaurants, especially high-tea venues.
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Jessica, one of our receptionists, is one of the smiling faces you see when you arrive at the office. She graduated with honours from Medix College with a diploma as a Level 2 Dental Assistant. When she is not happily helping our patients, Jessica enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, going to church on Sunday mornings, gardening and going on hikes.
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Naudia has been working at Torbram Dental for many years and is a valued member of our administrative team: as a dental receptionist and in our marketing team . She graduated from Everest College with honours level 1 and 2, with a diploma in Dental Assisting. Naudia is always there for our patients, making sure that they receive the care and attention they deserve. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and indulging in civil court TV shows.
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Ramandeep has been a part of Torbram Dental for the past 10 years as certified dental assistant. She obtained her level 1 certification from Everest college in Brampton in 2013, and then her level 2 certification in 2014 from Medix college. Her career path through the clinic has been recognized by staff at all levels who admire her work ethic and dedication to million dollar smiles. In her spare time, Ramandeep enjoys cooking and gardening, and spending time with her husband and 2 kids.
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Sana is a valued member of our dental hygiene team. In 2008 she completed her education at George Brown in Dental Assisting and in 2016 she earned her diploma in Dental Hygiene from the Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Sciences. Sana has been working in dentistry since 2008 and enjoys taking care of our patients and helping them with their oral health. She is married and is busy with her 2 young children. In her spare time, Sana enjoys going out with the family, trying out new places to eat and is looking forward to travelling with them in the future.
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Sanaria has been working at Torbram Dental for many years as a valued member of our Dental Assisting Team. She completed her level 2 dental assisting certification and previously obtained a degree in Education and worked as a quality control officer in the pharmaceutical industry. When not at work Sanaria loves to bake and cook. She also loves story time and enjoying the outdoors with her children. She always sees the positive side of life, believes that nothing is impossible and that if you set a goal and work at it, that you will make your dreams come true.
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Carrie has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She graduated from George Brown College in 1998 with a Dental Assistant Diploma and continued to further her education by completing a Dental Hygiene Diploma in 2001 at Durham College. Carrie is a highly trained and experienced Registered Dental Hygienist who continues to learn and grow by updating her knowledge to provide her clients with the best Oral Health Care techniques and information. Carrie is passionate about Dentistry and is known for her gentle and compassionate manner. She feels strongly about building lasting relationships and trust with her clients to help them understand that good Oral Health leads to good Overall Health. Carrie enjoys travelling, dabbling in decorating and a good Netflix series in her time off. Carrie resides in Halton Hills with her husband and two children.
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Daniela's interest in Dentistry began in Gr.6 when she wrote a speech entitled "My Life as a Toothbrush".
A Registered Dental Hygienist with 22 years of clinical experience, Daniela still has a great passion for her career. The most rewarding aspect for her is building lasting relationships with her patients, and seeing them through to a healthier smile.
Her thorough yet gentle touch will ensure a comfortable visit every time.
Daniela is a total Foodie and loves to cook and enjoys all types of cuisines. She loves Florida, Cruises, organizing things, and most of all spending time with family and friends.
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Stephanie Enjoys getting to know all new patients at Torbram Dental and catching up with long standing Patients. Stephanie enjoys spending quality time with her family. One of her favorite things to do with her daughter is teach and play the piano. Stephanie likes going on walks with her husband and enjoys spending as much time with him as he is an Active Member of the Canadian Army. On Sundays, Stephanie enjoys going to Church and looks forward to Sunday Dinner with her entire family. Stephanie's Favorite thing to do to start her day right is head to her local Starbucks and Grab her favorite drink, an iced black tea with light lemonade on warm days and a blonde vanilla latte on those cold winter days.
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As a dedicated Dental Hygienist at Torbram Dental, Aalisha brings recent knowledge and experience to ensure the best oral health for our patients. She holds a Diploma in Dental Hygiene from the Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries and has further enriched her education with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo. Beyond her professional qualifications, Aalisha has a zest for life that extends beyond the dental chair. She cherishes quality time with family and friends, thrives on outdoor adventures, and has a passion for hiking and water-based activities, especially during the sunny summer days. She is an avid traveler, exploring tropical paradises and historic destinations while immersing herself in diverse cultures and indulging in delicious culinary experiences."
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Supreet was born and raised in Punjab, India and came to Canada in 2016. She graduated from Sheridan College as an Environmental Lab Technician but later decided to change her career to dentistry. She completed her Level I and II Intra-Oral Dental Assisting course from George Brown College and graduated in 2023. In July 2023, Supreet joined the team at Torbram Dental where she enjoys working. In her free time, she loves to read books.
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