Hello gum chewers, today we’re going to talk about that sticky wad in your mouth. You know that it can freshen your breath, but can it really help protect your smile from tooth decay?
It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum can be useful in removing bits of food from the surface of teeth, but that benefit is negated by the stream of sugar washing over your teeth as you chew.
However, gum with some alternative sweeteners has an added benefit for your pearly whites. Xylitol is a sweetener that not only has fewer calories than traditional sugars but also has antimicrobial properties that reduce plaque build-up. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes decay.
So if you’re headed out to a restaurant, bring a pack of sugar-free gum with you and pop it in your mouth when your meal is done. Of course, brushing and flossing are the ideal practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, choose a sugarless gum with xylitol.
I’m Dr. Mari Ramirez of The Addison Dentist. We offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign, and teeth whitening. If you have any questions about how to upgrade your oral health, or if you would like details about any of our revolutionary cosmetic dental care such as teeth whitening, veneers, or complete cosmetic dental smile makeovers, give us a call today at 469-998-2515.
Call our compassionate team today for an appointment.
Contact The Addison Dentist:
469-998-2515
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
4145 Belt Line Rd Ste 208
Addison, Texas
75001
