It may come as a surprise to hear that chewing sugarless come can help prevent tooth decay. It’s true! Studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes can help prevent cavities.
What chewing gum should I choose?
Choose chewing gum with the ADA seal. In this way, you can be sure that the gum has no sugar. ADA approved gum is sweetened by sweeteners that do not cause cavities, like aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol, or mannitol.
Does chewing gum that contains sugar help prevent cavities?
Sugar-containing gum also increases saliva flow, but sugar is used by plaque bacteria to produce acids that cause decay. More research needs to be done to ascertain the effects of chewing gum that contains sugar on tooth decay.
How does chewing gum help?
The flow of saliva is increased when you chew sugarless gum. The saliva then washes away food and debris. It also neutralizes acids made from bacteria in the mouth and produces disease-fighting substances. Saliva flow cares calcium and phosphate to help strengthen your tooth enamel.
Do I still need to brush and floss?
Yes! Chewing sugarless gum does not replace brushing and flossing. The ADA recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
We invite you to contact David B. Fisher D.D.S. today to learn more about chewing gum in Bellaire Dental, Texas, and to schedule a visit with our dentist, Dr. David B. Fisher.