If you spend most of your day behind your desk or out and about, you may not be able to brush after every meal. However, there is still something you can do to help your smile. A very simple act can help you clean your teeth and neutralize the acid in your mouth—chewing sugarless gum.

Chewing a piece of gum after meals can help your smile in two ways. First, chewing gum can help you clean leftover pieces of food from between your teeth. When these pieces are left where they are, they can promote the growth of bacteria, which can turn into plaque and calculus. Bacteria, plaque, and calculus can lead to common oral health problems like gum disease and tooth decay. Gum disease will help you remove what’s leftover and help protect teeth.

Chewing a piece of gum will also neutralize the acid in your mouth. Foods that are high in sugar or starch can cause an acidic reaction in the mouth, promoting the growth of bacteria. Gum that’s sweetened with xylitol can offer even more help.

Of course, chewing a piece of gum should not replace regular brushing and flossing or checkups with Dr. Keuning and Dr. Riley at Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry. Contact us to schedule an appointment. We offer great care to patients from Juno Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, Jupiter and beyond.