Sure popping a piece of gum in your mouth after lunch may help freshen your breath, but did you know it can actually be good for your teeth? While you may have been told that chewing gum is bad for your teeth, this statement is only partially true. As long as you aren’t exposing your teeth to gum that contains certain harmful ingredients, such as sugar, it can provide your chompers with more benefits than you would imagine.
How Does Chewing Sugar-Free Gum Help?
One main reason why chewing sugar-free gum is good for your oral health, is because it increases saliva production and reduces dry mouth. Saliva production is important to your oral health and overall health.
Each time you eat or drink, your teeth are subjected to destructive substances such as sugars and acids. Over time, your tooth enamel begins to erode due to these acids which cause tooth decay. When you chew gum, it stimulates saliva production and neutralizes the acids inside your mouth. It also cleanses the teeth and eliminates sugars and food particles that can become lodged between them.
In summary, chewing gum can:
- Lubricate the mouth
- Neutralize acids in the mouth
- Remineralize tooth enamel
- Wash away lingering food particles
Why Sugar-Free Gum?
While chewing gum is beneficial for your oral health, chewing the wrong kind of gum isn’t. You may think chewing gum that contains sugar isn’t all that bad for your teeth, but in reality, it can increase your chance of developing tooth decay and gum disease.
When sugar combines with bacteria in the mouth it produces acid, this acid attacks the teeth and causes it to decay. Continuous acid attacks will result in weakened tooth enamel and can lead to cavities.
In contrast, gum that contains the ingredient xylitol has the opposite effect. Xylitol naturally exists in fruits and vegetables. This sweetener has 40 percent fewer calories than sucralose (sugar) and is a good alternative for diabetic patients.
Xylitol absorbs bacteria quite easily and expels it, rather than reproducing it. As a result, it is difficult for the bacteria to stick to the teeth and it will end up dying.
CDA Approved Gum
The next time you purchase gum, look for sugar-free gum with a CDA seal as these products have been approved by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). Typically, they are sweetened with, aspartame, sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol.
The following are some examples of sugar-free gum that have the CDA seal:
- Dentyne Ice Sugarless Gum
- Trident Sugarless Gum
- Wrigley Orbit Sugar-Free Gum
It is recommended by both dentists in Edmonton and the CDA to chew gum for 20 minutes after eating or drinking.
When Should I Visit a Dentist Near Me?
Despite the benefits chewing sugar-free gum can have on your oral health, it is not sufficient on its own. You should always brush twice per day, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss regularly. Additionally, you should visit your dentist every 6 months for a dental cleaning and checkup. If your dentist suspects any issues during your appointment, they can provide you with the proper dental treatment in Edmonton.
