“You’re chewing gum? I thought you were a dentist!” I hear this joke from time-to-time. I get “caught” with gum fairly often as I chew it several times daily because of the many benefits to your teeth. A lot of people make the assumption that all gum, across the board, is bad for your teeth. Well, don’t worry. If you like chewing gum, you might be doing your mouth a favor!
Of course, the first thing that should be mentioned is that sugar-free gum is a must. We all know the sugar leads to tooth decay, and there are certainly a lot of choices on the shelf at the grocery store that are loaded with sugar. Those should always be avoided. But, in moderation, and especially after a snack, sugar-free gum may offer the following advantages to your mouth.
- Increased salivary flow: See our Blog from January 4th, 2020 for more information
- Xylitol: This is a sugar substitute that has been found to reduce bacterial proliferation and therefore reduce cavity risk. It can be found in the products seen below.
- Removes particles: This is an easy one to figure out. Sticky gum can help pull food and debris out from all of the crevices found in your teeth.
- Curbs cravings: Studies have shown that chewing gum may help to satisfy you’re your brain when you have a craving. It’s a great substitute for grabbing a bag of chips or candy!
- Help control other harmful habits: Many people chew on their nails, pens or other things that can damage your teeth. Gum is also a great stand-in to help when you are trying to quit smoking or smokeless tobacco.
Here are a couple of gum recommendations:
- Zellies – This product was created by a dentist and is Headquartered in Rochester, NY! They have a variety of gums, mints and sweeteners designed to protect our teeth. Their offerings all include Xylitol.
- Trident – You’ll notice the ADA seal of approval on many Trident packages because they contain xylitol as well.
CrossKeys Dental is located at 110 CrossKeys Office Park in Fairport. Dr. DuPre՛ and Dr. Badali provide comprehensive family dentistry and are always welcoming new patients. Visit us at www.CrossKeysDentalFairport.com for more information.
© 2020 CrossKeys Dental in Fairport, NY by Vince Badali, DDS.