What’s the Deal With Sugar Free Gum?

Here at Salvatore Dental, you could say that we are experts when it comes to your oral health. After all, we are certified dentists who have been helping Malta area residents with their oral health needs which, in our book, makes us pretty qualified to talk about certain subjects. One of the most common questions that people seem to have when they come to our office is whether or not sugar free gum is good for their teeth or is simply causing more damage to occur. In an attempt to offer a blanket answer to as many people as possible, we are going to use today’s post to go over some of the top ways that sugar free gum can help keep your mouth healthy. Continue reading below to learn more.

Help Prevent Cavities

While most people chew sugar free gum to help freshen their breath, the American Dental Association has found that chewing sugar free gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help to prevent tooth decay. It accomplishes this task by increasing the amount of saliva in a person’s mouth which, in turn, helps to wash away food that has become stuck between the teeth while simultaneously helping to reduce the amount of acid produced by bacteria harbored in the mouth. Additionally, saliva contains calcium and phosphate which works to strengthen enamel, reducing the potential of tooth decay in the future.

Strengthen Enamel Naturally

As we just mentioned, chewing sugar free gum helps to strengthen enamel. Toothpaste and mouthwash that contain fluoride are the top products in America for strengthening teeth, however, the sweetening agent in sugar free gum, xylitol, works to strengthen enamel as well by reducing the amount of acid produced by bacteria in the mouth. Mouth bacteria thrive off of sugar, a substance contained in nearly everything that a person eats. By increasing the amount of saliva in the mouth and starving the bacteria of their main source of food, sugar free gum can be an effective weapon against tooth decay.

Reduce the Sensitivity of Teeth

People who suffer from sensitive teeth already know that it is one of the most annoying and painful dental maladies to suffer from. Once again, sugar free gum acts to increase the flow of saliva in the mouth, increasing the amount of calcium and phosphate that the teeth are exposed to. While chewing sugar free gum will not completely mitigate all symptoms related to sensitive teeth, it can go a long way in making life more comfortable for individuals who have this condition.

If you have any more questions about the effects of sugar free gum on your teeth, or you would like to learn more about our dental office, please visit our website today or give us a call. At Salvatore Dental we are equipped to handle any dental issues that you may have and we are certain that once your experience our services you will want us to be the only dentist office that you visit.