I’ve said over and over again on this blog how bad sugar is for your teeth. Is it hypocritical of me to now say that I want you to chew gum – and so does your dentist?
Not in the least, as long as it’s the correct kind of gum.
It’s true that sugar causes the natural bacteria in your mouth to eat away at the enamel on your teeth, but would you be surprised if I told you not all gum is made equal?
Chewing gum (created by a dentist, by the way) has several benefits to it. One benefit is it increases the flow of saliva in your mouth. Saliva is the mouth’s natural lubricant and helps wash away harmful bacteria and food particles. Saliva also increases the amount of calcium and phosphate in your mouth which are thought to help strengthen tooth enamel. Who would have thought?
But are we talking all chewing gum? NO!
You may be familiar with the popular sugar filled Bubble Tape or Big Chew gum sold in convenience stores, but not all gum has sugar. And not all sugar-free gum has xylitol, the magical ingredient that actually prevents bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
If you chew a lot of gum, save your teeth by choosing a sugar-free gum with the ingredient xylitol! It is the best kind of gum for your chompers.
Although chewing sugar-free gum is great for your teeth, it is not a replacement for your daily teeth routine. You should still brush twice a day and floss once. Visiting the dentist on a regular basis will also help detect and prevent any problems you may experience in your mouth.
So next time you are in the checkout line be sure to grab yourself a pack of sugar-free gum and help keep your smile healthy and happy!