Some people consider chewing gum to be indulging in a treat or part of normal life. Is it bad for your teeth or good? It really depends on the type of gum! To understand this better, you’ll need to know how the gum is sweetened. Gum either has regular table sugar, artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. When chewing gum there are two stages. The first is about ten minutes, where the sugar released from the gum into your mouth. The bacteria in your mouth feed off of this released sugar. The second phase that follows is the saliva production. After the sugar has been swallowed the saliva in your mouth helps to remineralize your tooth enamel. When chew gum with artificial sugars, there is no release of sugar in your mouth. You only produce saliva which actually helps to protect your teeth! Chewing gum with sugar alcohols usually contains xylitol. This alcohol contains cavity fighting power! This is one of the best gums to chew as it doesn’t contain actual sugar and helps prevent cavities. Now you have a better understanding of what gum to choose if you want a healthier choice! Happy Chewing!
For more dental tips or to book a dental appointment, contact Maple Family Dentistry today!