Acid attacks caused by food are more frequent and prolonged.
Dentists and dental hygienists have revealed that people who snack throughout the day are a key group at risk of developing oral health problems.
Snacking, rather than eating three meals a day, prevents the mouth’s pH levels from stabilising, and the acid attacks caused by food are more frequent and prolonged.
People who drink wine or mixed long drinks three or more times a week and coffee shop regulars were also high-risk categories, suggesting how modern work and lifestyle trends are contributing to poor oral health habits.
Dentists’ concerns are substantiated by research, which revealed that a fifth of office-based employees regularly miss brushing their teeth in their rush to get to work, and when they do brush, most fail to do so for the recommended two minutes.
The benefits of chewing sugar-free gum are well documented, and it is a clinically proven way to look after oral health while ‘on the go’.
The reason for chewing sugar-free gum after eating and drinking is that chewing stimulates the flow of saliva, which washes away food debris, helps neutralise damaging plaque acids, and remineralizes tooth enamel. The proven benefits of chewing sugar-free gum provide a strong reason to recommend chewing sugar-free gum to patients.