Chewing gum is a healthy habit that has a number of benefits. There are generally two types of gum: sugar containing and the sugar free gum. Dentists generally advise against chewing sugar containing gum as these may contribute to the development of tooth decay.
Sugarless/sugar free gum are chewing gums that do not contain sugars(sucrose) which causes tooth decay. They contain sweeteners such as xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol etc.
When you chew sugarless gum, it encourages increase in the flow of saliva.
– Saliva is a natural cleansing liquid, it helps get rid of food particles on the teeth.
– Saliva also helps neutralize the acids that may have been produced by bacteria in the mouth thereby preventing tooth decay.
Chewing for at least 20mins after eating or taking drinks stimulate the flow of saliva which helps cleanse the teeth. The chewing action also helps remove food particles stuck on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
Benefits of chewing sugarless gum include:
- Prevents tooth decay/Cavities: The presence of Xylitol makes sucrose unavailable to bacteria which causes tooth decay thereby contributing a great role in the prevention of tooth decay.
- Strengthens the teeth: there is increase in the flow of saliva when you chew gum. Calcium which is present in saliva helps strengthen the teeth.
- Freshens breath: mint containing sugarless gum helps freshen your breath.
To prevent tooth decay, brush twice daily with a fluoride containing toothpaste.