Dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, Dr. Silver explains. This is because saliva is crucial as it helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, wash ...

The bad: Chewing gum can increase your sugar intake If you don’t stick to sugar-free gum, one stick of gum only has a small amount of sugar—about two grams, Kersch says. “But if you are in the habit ...