Your sixth grade history teacher may disagree, but we are here to tell you that chewing certain types of gum can actually improve your overall oral health.

Most people believe that like most candies, chewing gum will damage your teeth, however, if you are chewing the right kind of gum, it can be good for your teeth.

Sugar Free Gum

When you’re standing in the checkout line at your local grocery store, the choices for chewing gum can be a little overwhelming. The main things to remember are that you need to choose a sugar free gum. Sugar loaded gums may get the saliva flowing in your mouth, but the sugar is counterproductive as it’s food for the bacteria in your mouth.

Rather than rinsing the bacteria from your mouth by chewing gum, chewing sugared gum will simply feed it. Secondly, choose a chewing gum that contains a sugar replacement called Xylitol. It’s a naturally occurring sweetener that has been shown to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Unlike sugar, it’s not a suitable fuel for the bacteria, therefore it leaves your mouth cleaner and healthier.

Why Gum?

So why do we recommend chewing sugar free gum? Well, the physical act of chewing naturally increases the flow of saliva in your mouth. If you chew gum, even for only 15 minutes, after every meal, the increased saliva flow helps to neutralize and wash away the acids produced when food is broken down and consumed.

Essentially, chewing gum is rinsing the bacteria and plaque from your teeth and mouth.
If you find yourself facing a sweet tooth after your next meal, grab a piece of sugar free gum and satisfy your craving as you clean your mouth! Please call or stop by our office today to get more information on how you can keep your smile healthy for years!