You may notice that some sugar-free chewing gums are sweetened with something called xylitol. This will also help to keep your breath fresher - and the minty flavour is just an added bonus! What is xylitol? This will neutralise your mouth - especially if you chew gum shortly after finishing a snack or meal - and remove any food debris.īy reducing the sugar, acid and bacteria in your mouth, you’ll help to prevent the development of plaque, cavities and tooth decay. Put simply, the act of chewing will help create more saliva in your mouth, which will then help to wash away sugar, acid and any leftover food in your mouth which may turn into plaque. So, now you have your packet of sugar-free gum, you might be wondering how chewing on this can help keep your mouth healthy. The sugar-free varieties will give you all the benefits without risking your dental health. Pop a packet in your pocket, or keep a few sticks in your desk drawer so you always have some to hand. Instead, always keep some sugar-free chewing gum handy. Avoid sugary varieties at all costs, as these will just contribute to the amount of sugar in your mouth, and therefore put you at risk of acid attacks and tooth decay. Sugar vs sugar freeįirst of all, it’s really important to choose the right type of chewing gum - otherwise you’ll be doing more damage than good. Read on to find out our top tips on how chewing gum can help clean your mouth. Saliva cannot scrape plaque off your gumline like flossing can, and brushing with your toothbrush physically scrubs your teeth in a way saliva cannot.You may have heard that chewing gum can help clean your mouth and keep your teeth and gums healthy, but is this true? Well, the short answer is yes! It’s surprising, but chewing gum can be a very handy weapon to keep your breath fresh, teeth strong and mouth free of the acids and bacteria that lead to tooth decay.īut it’s not as simple as picking up any old packet of gum in the supermarket. However, don’t use it as an excuse to give up brushing and flossing! There is No Substitute for Brushing and Flossing!Ĭhewing gum, and increasing your saliva flow, is great for your dental hygiene. It can bend and loosen brackets and wires. If you wear braces, it’s best to avoid gum.Don’t worry though, swallowing a few pieces by accident won’t kill you. Swallowing a large portion of gum in a short period of time can lead to an intestinal blockage, so supervise your children until you can trust them not to swallow the gum.Make sure you store your gum where your pooch can’t reach! Xylitol, a common sweetener used in sugar-free gum, is safe for humans to consume.Chewing Gum SafetyĮnjoy the benefits of chewing sugar-free gum, but make sure you watch out for these risks: Sugar will just help to feed the bacteria that live in your mouth, giving them free reign to grow and produce an acid that destroys your enamel.īut opting for sugar-free gum doesn’t mean giving up on flavor! Sugar-free gum is still sweetened, but it’s sweetened using a type of sugar that your saliva can’t break down. The benefits are only worth it if you chew sugar-free gum. Saliva also neutralizes acids and pushes them into your belly, so they don’t cause heartburn. It also rinses your teeth, which can help loosen food particles and bacteria trapped in your chompers. The more vigorously you chew, the more saliva you produce.Īnd that’s a good thing! Saliva forms a protective layer over your teeth and provides them with nourishing minerals. Increase Saliva Flow, and Increase Your Oral HealthĬhewing increases your saliva production. So get yourself some sugar-free gum and chew for 20 minutes after you eat. Census Bureau, that’s how much the average American consumes!Īs long as you stick to sugar-free gum, though, this isn’t a bad thing! Chewing increases your saliva flow, which helps you digest your food and protect your teeth. Believe it or not, you probably chew about 2 pounds of gum every year.
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