You will have seen a lot of information on the internet linking chewing gum with oral health. Chewing gum is a natural habit for many people, but does chewing gum help or harm your teeth?
Chewing on your favourite foods, unfortunately, does come with harmful preservatives that can damage your teeth, but the impact of chewing gum has been a confusing question for many. You’ll have heard information that it keeps teeth strong, but you will have also heard that it harms your teeth.
So, which is it?
One of the more popular preservatives of chewing gum is sugar, which is of course bad for your teeth. Sugar is a symptom of cavities and tooth decay and can penetrate through your mouth and also cause enamel erosion.
Most chewing gum is considered harmful for your teeth, but it ultimately depends on your chewing gum of choice.
Chewing Sugarless Gum
The truth is, it ultimately does depend on the gum of your choice, and whether it contains sugar. If you’re regularly containing sugar, your teeth are likely to be impacted and suffer from cavities and tooth decay, regardless of whether the sugar comes from chewing gum or not.
Recently, there has been an appeal towards chewing sugarless gum. This means that you’re chewing gum with no sugar preservatives. Research has found that chewing sugarless gum not only protects your enamel and teeth, it also improves saliva production, which keeps the chances of cavities and tooth decay at bay.
Why Does Chewing Sugarless Gum Work?
Chewing sugarless gum contains Xylitol, a property that helps to reduce Streptococcus, a form of bacteria that causes cavities. Xylitol is also a natural sweetener within vegetables and fruits and is absorbed by bacteria, but the bacteria eventually die.
Chewing sugarless gum does have its benefits, but for it to work, you must ensure that you continue to perform a strong oral routine every day such as flossing, brushing and visiting the dentist to really reap the benefits of strong teeth.
It is important that you don’t consume sugarless gum every day because this may cause jaw stiffness or Temporomandibular disorder (TMJ).
Chewing gum isn’t something that is recommended for those who have weak oral health. It is one of the foods to avoid if you have a dental crown in place.
If you’re seeking further advice on chewing gum and whether it will help or harm your oral health, talk to us at Wahroonga Dental Group today. Click here to book yourself in with us today!