Growing up, chewing gum was one of the taboo activities your parents and teachers scolded you for. However, dentists worldwide now urge people to chew sugarless gum, especially since it doesn’t include sugar and can stimulate your oral health. If you’re still new to the world of chewing gum for healthy pearly whites, read on.
Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers on Sugarless Gum
What is Sugar-Free Gum Really?
As you can guess from its name, sugar-free gum doesn’t contain sugar. Instead, sweeteners are included to prevent tooth decay. Meanwhile, flavors are released over a period of time just like ordinary gum.
What are the Benefits of Sugar Free Gum?
Sugar free gum provides chewers with a number of benefits, such as:
- Boosting Oral Health – Chewing gum reduces plaque, increases oral hygiene, and counter calculus and gingivitis.
- Remineralizing Tooth Surface – Chewing gum can boost the flow rate of your saliva, protecting you from dry mouth and bad breath. Your teeth will also benefit from the additional remineralizing ions and bicarbonate to fight the plaque forming on the surface.
- Preventing Tooth Decay – The risk of dental caries, or tooth decay, can be reduced by the increased flow of saliva. The liquid will clear sugars and acids from around your teeth to reduce cries susceptibility.
- Reducing Bad Breath –The flow of saliva will protect you from dry mouth, which is one of the lead causes of bad breath.
When Should I Chew on this Gum?
The best time to chew sugar free gum is directly after eating. However, you need to chew up to 20 minutes to stimulate the flow of saliva and let it cancel out the acid in your mouth. Keep in mind that the plaque starts to form after half an hour from cleaning your teeth.
Is Chewing Gum Safe for Denture or Braces Users?
Though sugar-free gum isn’t recommended for braces users, you can find sugar-free gum that is designed for dentures. So you won’t have to worry about it sticking around your teeth or the palate of your dentures.
Can I Swallow the Gum?
There’s no evidence proving that swallowing gum will harm you. It’ll pass through your system like other food only slower. If you want to keep your digestive system in shape, get rid of your gum by wrapping it and throwing it in a bin. Dropping it on the floor or sticking it to a surface is bound to make a mess.
Any Thoughts on Whitening Sugarless Gum?
Some sugarless gums claim to have whitening effects. However, they won’t change the color of your teeth. Instead, they’ll reduce the staining caused by smoking or drinking coffee or wine.
Do I Still Have to Brush My Teeth?
Though chewing sugarless gum is important, you need to make sure that you brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day. Consult with a reliable preventative dentistry specialist to learn how to care for your teeth between visits.
At Dr. Dental, we’re always available to answer your questions and guide you on how to keep your teeth white and healthy for years to come. So schedule your next appointment right away.
