Can Chewing Gum Improve Your Dental Health?

An often underestimated way of improving your dental health is by regularly chewing gum. Although it is important to choose the right type of gum for the job. We do not always have the time or means to fully clean our teeth after eating. Here are some tips to help you choose the right gum. 

Types Of Chewing Gum

– Gum Containing Sugar. When your gum is loaded with sugar, you are releasing sugar into your mouth. This gives the natural bacteria in your mouth, food to feed upon to multiply and grow. This can lead to tooth decay if not properly cleaned later. There are studies that show that if you continue to chew the gum for a while after the initial sugar is displaced, the increased saliva flow may negate the effects of the initial sugar release. This means that you need to chew sugary gum after the sweet flavor is gone to have any dental effect.

– Gum Containing Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame or Sucralose). By chewing gum with artificial sweeteners, you won't release the harmful sugars into your mouth. The benefit of chewing this type of gum means you get the full effect of chewing gum quickly. This benefit is saliva stimulation which can wash away food debris and bacteria in the mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum for 10-15 minutes after eating is very beneficial to your oral health.

– Gum Containing Xylitol. Chewing gum that is sweetened with xylitol creates an uninviting environment for oral bacteria. The bacteria simply cannot attach themselves to teeth in a xylitol rich environment. This is the mechanism in which xyltiol protects the teeth from tooth decay. With xylitol, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over half an hour is stopped. The bacteria in the mouth that are causing cavities are unable to digest xylitol, so their growth is greatly reduced. The number of acid producing bacteria may decrease by as much as 90%.

There is no acid formed because the pH of saliva and plaque does not drop (a drop in ph is what normally happens after eating sugar and carbs). After consuming xylitol, the bacteria does not stick well to the surface of the teeth and as a result, the amount of plaque decreases. Many people are not aware of this ancillary benefit because such a claim labels xylitol as a drug. This crosses a legal boundary that is not allowed by the FDA. It has been recommended that you chew a piece of xylitol gum after every meal or snack to gain maximum benefit to your teeth.

When sugar-free gum is not available to you, sugar-free breath mints can also help to increase your saliva flow. The mints however, do not have the added benefit of stickiness to help pull sugar and carbohydrates off of the teeth. Drinking a full glass of water, swishing and swallowing, can also help when you are unable to brush your teeth.

**Make sure to read labels. You may find that sugar is labeled zero with or without an asterick. This just means that there are under .5 grams of sugar per serving. Tic Tac has gotten away with this by having a serving be 1 tic tac which is .49 g. So even though the tic tac is actually 97% sugar, they are able to label the sugar as zero. Look at the list of ingredients, not the quick glance nutritional label.**

Proper Dental Hygiene 

– Brush, Floss, Mouthwash Every Day. We all know this already, but do we do it every day? These simple hygiene tasks are often overlooked in our busy schedules. Brushing at least 2x per day for 2 minutes, flossing at least once per day, and rinsing with an antibacterial or fluoride rinse is a great start to a healthy smile.

– Avoid Sugary Foods And Drinks. Foods and drinks that are high in sugar give the oral bacteria the nutrition it needs to create an acidic environment inside your mouth. This can lead to harmful tooth decay.

– Get Plenty Of Vitamin C. A diet deficient in vitamin C can lead to dental health issues such as loose teeth and bleeding gum. Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits like oranges. It is important to note that citrus fruits are highly acidic, so you should rinse with water afterwards to neutralize the acids so as not to harm your teeth.

– Have Crunchy Foods. This is not a replacement for dental floss, but eating hard, crunchy raw foods (like carrots, celery, nuts, and apples) can naturally clean your teeth and freshen your breath.

– Get Your Daily Amount Of Calcium. This will not only keep your teeth strong, but also the bones in your body. Good sources of Calcium include milk, soybeans, and cheese. Also, make sure you get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium properly. A good source of vitamin D is from the sun. So get outside and exercise!

– Drink Plenty Of Water. Drinking water throughout the day will keep your teeth and body healthy and hydrated. Water is far better for you than any other beverage you can drink. Rinsing with water after every meal or snack will help maintain your dental health. The water can neutralize the acids being produced by the oral bacteria. This will in turn limit the amount of tooth decay that can occur.

– Visit Your Dentist Regularly. This seems like an easy one but is often neglected. It is important to not only get your teeth professionally cleaned, but also to ward off any problems while in their early stages.

Chewing Gum For Dental Health

Maintaining your dental health can be made easier by simply choosing the right gum. If you are looking for another way to improve your dental hygiene, you should incorporate chewing gum into your routine. The benefits will lead to cleaner teeth, fresher breath, fewer cavities, and a lifetime of smiles.