Is Chewing Gum Good For You?

Artistic Touch Dentistry wants you to take extremely good care of your teeth so that you have the smile you have always wanted. While there are many things you can do to keep your smile looking great, chewing gum might be one of them. The American Dental Association reported that, “clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.”

You should keep sugarless gum with you to reduce the chance of developing cavities. When you eat food, especially sticky food or drink sugary drinks, the sugar sticks to your teeth, which is how you can develop cavities. However, chewing sugarless gum will help you increase salvia, which is what helps wash away food and other debris in your mouth.

“The only varieties of gum with the ADA Seal are sugarless. They are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol. Of course, chewing sugar-containing gum increases saliva flow too, but it also contains sugar, which is used by plaque bacteria to produce decay-causing acids. Further research needs to be done to determine the effects of chewing sugar-containing gum on tooth decay,” the ADA explains.

While chewing gum between meals is a good alternative, it shouldn’t replace your daily brushing and flossing routine. When you need a dentist in Melbourne, Florida then give Artistic Touch Dentistry a call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Maryam Brazdo.