There are endless flavors and varieties of chewing gum on the market. Most are filled with sugar and are likely to only freshen your breath. However, did you know that certain ones can actually benefit your oral health? Whether you’re looking for something to help you kick a bad habit, or you simply want to be more mindful of what you’re putting in your mouth and how it impacts your pearly whites, keep reading.
What Makes Chewing Gum Beneficial to Your Oral Health?
Dentists have been recommending chewing gum as an effective way to improve oral health for many years. Choosing the right kind can deliver great benefits – the kind that positively impacts teeth and gums. These include:
- Stimulating Saliva Production: The act of chewing causes the salivary glands to begin producing. As a result, the saliva neutralizes harmful acids and flushes out food debris and bacteria that might otherwise try to cause cavities and gum disease.
- Helping Kick Bad Habits: Chewing gum is often recommended as a helpful tool for those who want to quit smoking or who tend to chew on inanimate objects (i.e., pens or pencils) or ice. Not only is it a healthier alternative, but it’s unlikely to damage teeth as long as an appropriate type is chosen.
Which Kind of Chewing Gum is Recommended?
While there are many different options available at the kiosk next to the grocery store register, there is only one type of chewing gum you should choose if you want to avoid cavities – the sugar-free kind.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designates something as “sugar-free” if it contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. These products instead use artificial sweeteners as opposed to regular sugar. However, the one that benefits teeth the most is xylitol.
Containing fewer calories, gum containing xylitol has been found to lower the risk of dental caries (cavities) when chewed at least 20 minutes after eating a meal. Food debris and bad bacteria can linger in your mouth long after consuming any kind of food or drink (aside from water), so by chewing sugar-free gum, the active ingredients not only freshen your breath but also activate your saliva to help neutralize acids that break down while eating.
This is why many dental professionals recommend sugar-free chewing gum as part of a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are still essential, but if you want to give your smile the extra boost of protection it needs, make sure to reach for sugar-free gum the next time you’re at the store.
About the McCarl Dental Group
McCarl Dental Group consists of multiple dental experts who have a passion for helping patients embrace life with healthier smiles. Offering preventive dentistry that includes dental checkups and cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatment, and more, our dentists also provide patient education to help individuals better understand how to properly take care of their oral health year-round. If you want to make better choices when it comes to your smile, call our dental office.