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Is Sugar-Free Gum OK for My Teeth?

kid blowing a bubble with chewing gum

Quite a few brands of chewing gum are full of sugar, which means you might be increasing your chances of developing a cavity while just trying to freshen your breath. So what about gum that doesn’t have any sugar? Not only is sugar-free gum okay for your teeth, but it can actually help keep your teeth clean!

Benefits of Chewing Sugar-Free Gum

Many people don’t realize that saliva is one of the ways your body fights against bacteria and viruses. The simple act of chewing increases saliva flow, which means chewing on sugar-free gum will prompt your mouth to create more saliva. This in turn neutralizes acids and rinses away food particles from your teeth.

You don’t want to let acids sit there on your teeth because it can break down the enamel and lead to cavities. Studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay!

What About Gum with Xylitol?

You may have seen gum on the market that has xylitol, a natural sweetener, in it. This gum is still a-okay for your dental health, if not better than plain sugar-free gum. This is because xylitol is shown to actually reduce the amount of bacteria that causes decay and cavities in your mouth.

ADA Seal of Acceptance

If you really want to get a dentist’s approval for the gum your purchase, look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal on the package. This shows that the product has met their standards for safety and efficacy for sugarless gum.

As a general rule, you should never use gum as a substitute for regular brushing or flossing. It may give you minty fresh breath, but it’s not enough on its own to keep your teeth and gums healthy! But when you do want to enjoy some chewing gum, we recommend going the sugar-free or xylitol route to make sure you’re looking after your dental health.

Want more dental health tips? Contact Ace Dental!

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