Do you enjoy chewing on gum throughout the day? There’s a reason why it is always next to the register at your local gas station, grocery store, and pharmacy. While it tastes sugary and sweet just like candy, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it is harmful to your oral health. In fact, chewing gum actually provides you with a variety of benefits for your smile, including reducing your risk of cavities. Read on to learn how this sweet treat is advantageous to your pearly whites.
What Are the Benefits of Chewing Gum?
It may seem similar to having a piece of candy, but sugar-free gum is actually beneficial for your smile. Here are some of the pros:
Gum Helps to Clean Your Teeth
When you chew on sugar-free gum, you are aiding in removing food particles that are stuck in your teeth. By removing this debris, you reduce your risk of developing cavities. While sugarless gum isn’t necessarily a replacement for regular brushing or flossing, it’s a great addition because it helps to clean the surfaces of your teeth.
Sugar-Free Gum Increases Salivary Production
To have a healthy smile, you need to have good saliva production. Saliva is important because it neutralizes harmful acids in your mouth that soften your enamel and lead to tooth decay. It also prevents dry mouth from occurring. Side effects of dry mouth include bad breath, increased bacterial growth, and additional tooth decay.
Xylitol Doesn’t Negatively Impact Your Smile
Sugar-free gum usually uses an artificial sweetener called “xylitol.” This ingredient actually helps to reduce the number of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. It’s unable to 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.
Should You Chew Gum Regularly?
For most people, chewing sugar-free gum is a good preventive measure to take in addition to regular brushing and flossing. However, for some people, this may not necessarily be recommended. 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.
Next time you’re in line at the grocery store, don’t shy away from picking up some sugar-free gum. Your smile will thank you!
About the Author
Dr. Louis Olberding is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for over two decades. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, International College of Oral Implantologists, American Dental Association, and many other professional organizations. For more ways to keep your smile healthy or to schedule an appointment at his office in Lincoln, visit his website or call (402) 488-2325.