Does Chewing Gum Lead to Fewer Cavities?

How often do you like to chew gum? You see it every time that you are in the line to check out at your local gas station, grocery store, and pharmacy, so it is very easy to come by. Even though it is sugary and sweet tasting, this doesn’t mean that is necessarily poses risks for your oral health. In fact, chewing gum actually provides you with a variety of different benefits for your smile, including reducing your risk for cavities! Continue reading to learn how this sweet treat is giving your mouth an advantage!

What Are the Benefits of Chewing Gum?

You may think of it as a candy, but sugarless gum is actually beneficial for your smile. Here are just some of the pros:

Gum Helps to Clean Your Teeth

When you chew on sugar-free gum, you help to remove food particles that are stuck in your teeth. When you remove this debris, you reduce your risk of developing cavities. While sugarless gum is not a replacement for regular brushing or flossing, it is a great addition because it helps to clean the surfaces of your teeth.

Sugarless Gum Increases Saliva 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 Has No Bad Effects on Teeth

Sugar-free gum usually uses an artificial sweetener known as xylitol. This can actually help to reduce the number of cavity causing bacteria in your mouth. It’s unable to fuel the growth of bacteria in the same way that sugar does, but you will still get a delicious, sweet flavor in your mouth. Ultimately, it is safer for your teeth.

Should You Be Chewing 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 be recommended by your dentist. If you have any type of jaw pain or temporomandibular disorder symptoms (TMD/TMJ), chewing gum can aggravate the issues even further, so it should be avoided.

Next time you’re in line at the gas station, don’t be afraid to pick up a pack of sugar-free gum. Your smile will thank you!

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Duong earned his dental doctorate from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco and is committed to completing continuing education courses in a wide variety of topics, including endodontics, oral surgery, and cosmetic dentistry. For more ways to keep your smile healthy or to schedule an appointment at his office in Lancaster, visit his website or call (469) 765-8050.