You might be wondering if chewing gum is good for your teeth and mouth. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just about sugar or artificial sweeteners that can cause cavities. We'll show you the science behind why chewing gum works for your oral health and how to keep on chomping without consequence! Read on so we can freshen up your smile!
What is chewing gum made of, and what are its effects on your mouth?
Chewing gum is made with various ingredients such as natural sweeteners, sugar alcohols and artificial flavors. Chewing gum can actually help improve your oral health because it stimulates saliva flow which contains enzymes that fight plaque. When you chew gums containing xylitol or erythritol, they also reduce the amount of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth.
Which chewing gum should you buy?
Chewing gum that contains xylitol or erythritol is a much better option to reduce cavity-causing bacteria. You can also look for gums containing stevia, but make sure it doesn't have any artificial sweeteners in it. This is because stevia alone does not cause a significant reduction in the amount of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. Sugar-free gum is also a better option than regular chewing gum. It contains fewer calories and does not promote tooth decay or cavities.
Benefits of chewing good gum
Chewing gum may help reduce your risk of cavities by helping to increase saliva flow. It also helps clear food particles and plaque from teeth, preventing tooth decay, bad breath, and gingivitis (inflammation at the base of the gums). Chewing sugar-free gum after meals have been shown to improve symptoms associated with dry mouth or xerostomia. The act of chewing itself is also known to provide stress relief as well! So go ahead and chomp down on that piece of bubblegum whenever you're feeling stressed out!
Thank you for reading. I hope this blog post helped answer your question of "Is chewing gum good for your mouth?" If not, please feel free to reach out, and we will assist you in every way we can! We know you value your smile, and so do we.
Talk to one of our caring patient coordinators today to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Frank Sioda 18676 Willamette Dr. Suite 202 West Linn, OR 97068-1718
Dental Blog | Dentist West Linn | ZenTech Dentistry Dr. Frank Sioda of ZenTech Dentistry has created this informative blog to help educate the community about a variety of dental topics. Learn more here. ZenTech Dentistry - Frank K. Sioda, DMD, PC, 18676 Willamette Dr., Suite 202, West Linn, OR 97068-1718, (503) 765-9699, zentechdentistry.com, 12/6/2024, Tags: dentist West Linn,