Is sugar free chewing gum good for your teeth?

Chewing gum has been a habit for a lot of people.

People tend to chew gum to prevent bad breath or maybe they just got accustomed to this habit. Due to this, there grew many speculations that arose from it. So the question of the benefits of gum to dental health still stands. Sugar-free chewing gum has no sugar in it. Instead, it uses sweeteners to substitute for the sugar that the gum contains. According to experts, an extract called Stevia Leaf and unblended xylitol offers the best solution in sweetening chewing gum. Experts said that Stevia Leaf is widely perceived as natural among consumers.
Since that is the case, the teeth will not undergo tooth decay because there is no sugar in the gum to cause it. This is not the only benefit that you will get from chewing sugar-free gum. Do you usually chew gum right after eating because of not having a chance to brush your teeth? Well, you probably should. When you eat, the sugars of the food you have taken will create plaque bacteria which can result in acid attacks to the teeth. (Plaque is the colorless film of bacteria that forms on teeth) The cavity is created when the bacteria dissolve the teeth enamel.

You might be wondering how sugar-free gum will help you prevent this. Let me tell you how sugar-free gum might just save you from cavities. Chewing sugar-free gum will help in releasing more saliva and it is a natural defense against acid. It will take an hour for saliva to naturally replace the enamel that the teeth have lost, but when chewing sugar-free gum, it will only take up 20 minutes because it will increase the speed of saliva generation. That is why it is advisable to chew gum right after eating although this is not the case for people with braces and dentures. According to Dr. Lozada a dentist in Lancaster, They are not recommended to chew gum for it might stick to the plate of the dentures as well as to the braces manlig-halsa.se.

Another benefit of a faster saliva generation caused by chewing gum is that you will prevent having dry mouth and bad breath. So if you need an instant breath freshener but no time to brush your teeth, chewing sugar-free gum might be the solution for you. Always remember that chewing gum will not cause harm to your teeth, as long as it’s sugar-free.


Dr. Randy Lozada who practices in his dental office in Lancaster opines that Sugar-free gum does not only offer benefits on your teeth but also to the other parts of your body.

Chewing gum can provide exercise to the jaw and neck, which can prevent teeth clenching. It can also keep your mouth occupied to keep you from excessive food intake. It can also beat cravings and keep you from consuming unhealthy foods and beverages which are filled with sugar. So this can be a big help to you if you are watching your diet.
Chewing gum poses health hazards too but there are more health benefits that you can get from it rather than risks. Chewing gum in an excessive manner can lead to a painful condition that affects the jaw, face, neck, and back, called TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).
Everything that is taken in excess is bad for you, and this works with chewing gum too. You can gain health benefits from it but don’t do it excessively.

Sources:
WebMD.com
DentalHealth.org

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