Is Chewing Gum Bad For Your Teeth?

You chew it, you share it, you may have even swallowed it at some point in your life. Chewing gum may seem harmless, and it can be, but knowing the kind of gum you’re chewing and what it’s doing to your body is important.

When you chew sugar-free gum, you’re actually helping your teeth more than harming them. In fact, sugar-free gum protects your teeth from decay. Sugar-free gum will help saliva production and acts as a cleaning agent helping to neutralize acids released by bacteria in plaque.

In terms of the intangible benefits to gum, a study has shown that gum actually improves your mood and relieves stress.

How is Sugary Gum Harming My Teeth?

Whenever you chew gum containing sugar, you’re running the risk of getting cavities. Let’s be honest, no one REALLY likes going to the dentist but the reality is, you’ll be paying your dentist more visits than not when you chew gum with sugar.

Sugar-free gum uses an artificial sweetener called Xylitol. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener that studies have shown reduce the risk for bacteria and is actually cleaning your teeth.

Chewing The Right Gum Will Strengthen Your Tooth Enamel

Your enamel is the hardest substance in your body and when you chew the right type of gum, it makes your enamel even stronger. A substance called Recaldent remineralizes your teeth and prevents from decay. It may not appear in every gum pack, but look out for this ingredient the next time you’re shopping for sugar-free gum.

Skip the sugar-littered gum the next time you’re making an impulse buy at your neighborhood supermarket. Your teeth will thank you by staying healthy and cavity-free!

If you’re someone who has already reaped the negative consequences of sugar-overload, finding a dentist to help can be a cinch. If you’ve been using search terms like ‘dental care near me’ or ‘dental implants cost’, let us guide you to the right dentist for your specific dental issue at Zentist today.