Haha, gum definitely isn't a floss substitute—wish more people realized that. Honestly, I get nervous seeing how casually some folks rely on gum. Has anyone noticed sensitivity issues after chewing sugary gum regularly? Curious if it's just me being overly cautious...
I've definitely noticed sensitivity after chewing sugary gum too often... thought it was just me! I switched to sugar-free gum a while back (my orthodontist practically begged me, haha) and it made a big difference. Still doesn't replace flossing, obviously, but at least my teeth aren't yelling at me anymore. Maybe give sugar-free a shot and see if it helps?
Totally get what you're saying about sugary gum... I used to pop those fruity bubble gums like candy, and my teeth were NOT happy campers. My dentist gave me the side-eye every visit, lol. Switching to sugar-free helped a ton, but honestly, nothing beats flossing regularly. Learned that the hard way after a few too many cavities. Now I'm that person who carries floss picks everywhere—my friends tease me, but hey, gotta keep those pearly whites happy, right?
I feel you on the floss picks—I keep a stash in my car now after one too many popcorn kernel incidents at the movies. But honestly, even sugar-free gum isn't always a perfect fix. I switched to sugar-free thinking I was doing my teeth a huge favor, but turns out some brands still have acids that can wear down enamel. My dentist pointed it out after noticing some sensitivity issues I was having. She suggested looking for gum with xylitol specifically, since it actually helps neutralize acids and protect teeth.
Funny story though... I got so into the whole "xylitol gum" thing that I bought a huge bulk pack online without checking the flavor first. Big mistake. Ended up with like 200 pieces of gum that tasted like minty cardboard. Took me months to get through it because I refused to waste money, lol. Lesson learned: always sample before bulk-buying dental products.
Anyway, flossing is definitely key, but I've also found that rinsing with water right after sugary snacks or drinks helps a lot. It's not always practical to brush immediately, especially when you're out and about, but a quick rinse can at least wash away some of the sugar and acids before they settle in. My dentist gave me that tip after I admitted my coffee-with-sugar habit wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
And yeah, friends tease me too about my dental obsession, but hey, I'd rather deal with their jokes than another cavity filling. Those drills are no joke.
"Ended up with like 200 pieces of gum that tasted like minty cardboard."
Haha, been there... I once bought a bulk mouthwash online thinking "minty fresh" meant something pleasant—nope, tasted like floor cleaner. Totally agree rinsing after sugary stuff helps a ton, saved me from extra dentist trips for sure.
