Stick to Chewing Gum…It’s Great for Your Oral Health!

Chew, chew, chew! Chewing gum has been a common pastime for thousands of years. From birch bark tar to now thin little slices of goodness in foil, gum has come a long way to make taste buds happy and keep the breath fresh. But those aren’t the only benefits! Did you know that chewing sugar-free gum is great for your dental health? Read on to discover the benefits!

Gum Helps Clean Your Teeth

After you eat, chewing gum helps remove food particles that are stuck in your teeth, which reduces your risk of building plaque and developing cavities.  While sugarless gum shouldn’t replace regular brushing or flossing, it’s a great addition because it helps to clean the surfaces of your teeth.

Gum Increases Salivary Production

Chewing gum increases saliva production by activating both mechanical and taste receptors. In other words, gum makes you drool. Why does this help your oral health? Saliva is important because it neutralizes harmful acids in your mouth that soften your enamel and lead to tooth decay. It also rinses over your teeth constantly to wash away plaque and bacteria before they can cause cavities. The more saliva you have in your mouth, the harder time bad particles have sticking to your teeth.

Xylitol Doesn’t Negatively Impact Your Smile

Sugar-free gum usually uses an artificial sweetener called “xylitol.” This ingredient helps reduce cavity-causing particles in your mouth. It doesn’t fuel the growth of bacteria in the same way sugar does, but you still get the delicious, sweet flavor. It is a safer option for your smile and tastes just as delicious as the sugary varieties.

Some Chewing Gums Strengthen Tooth Enamel

There is an ingredient that some gum manufacturers are beginning to add to their products. It is known as phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). The more common name for it is Recaldent. This ingredient is said to remineralize and harden your tooth enamel by delivering calcium and phosphate to it. This makes the teeth stronger and prevents tooth decay. You can research and find a gum with this ingredient for an added boost to your oral health.

Should You Chew Gum Regularly?

For most people, chewing sugarless gum is a good preventive measure to take in addition to your regular dental routine of brushing and flossing. However, it’s not recommended for everyone. If you have any type of jaw pain or temporomandibular joint dysfunction symptoms (TMD), chewing gum can aggravate the existing problem further, so this should be avoided. Visit your local doctor if your pain persists.

Chewing gum is not only a delicious pastime, but also excellent for your dental health. Continue to stick to great oral habits and you will reap the benefits for years to come!

About the Author

Dr. Saad has been in the field of dentistry for over 15 years. He obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California and his dental doctorate at the USC School of Dentistry. His various dental services include preventive, restorative, and cosmetic care. Dr. Saad and his team help patients stay cavity-free with personalized preventive care and regular checkups. To maintain your oral health, contact Pace Dental through their website or by phone at (703) 991-4178.