Chewing gum, that has so far been considered as an effective and quick way to instantly freshen your breath, a quick alternative to brushing teeth, a habit or even suggested by your dentist, may also be good for your oral health.
One of the most well-known benefit of chewing gum is that it helps fight off bad breath (halitosis) by stimulating saliva production, which plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy mouth by neutralizing acids that cause tooth decay, while simultaneously washing away food particles and bacteria in the oral cavity that can contribute to bad breath. Moreover, ingredients like baking soda, peroxides, flavoring agents, all act to mask unwanted moth odors persisting after food.
Chewing gum for at least 20 minutes after a meal is attributed to have physical properties that help in removing plaque and debris from teeth.
Chewing gum can also help reduce the risk of tooth decay, particularly when it is formulated with certain ingredients, like xylitol, a natural sweetener that has been shown to inhibit the growth of the bacteria, reducing the production of the incriminating by-product, lactic acid, that can lead to tooth decay. In addition to its antimicrobial properties, xylitol has also been shown to help remineralize teeth, thus helping in repairing the damage caused by acid erosion.
Chewing gums contain fluoride, which plays an integral role in strengthening the enamel and, therefore, increasing resistance to bacterial invasion.
For people with salivary hypofunction (xerostomia), chewing gum can play a major role in increasing salivary flow rate. According to studies conducted by several researches (Example: 2004 Holland Web of Science Bots, Brand, Veerman, Van Amerongen, Nieuw Amerongen, conducted a randomised clinical trial to examine the use of chewing gum in order to stimulate the salivary flow of healthy and sick individuals) an increase in salivary flow and pH was observed in all subjects. The mean increase in flow rate was 187% during the 1st minute of mastication, compared to paraffin stimulation.
Furthermore, if you chew gum following a meal, it can lower the acid levels in your esophagus, therefore, reducing acid reflux, which causes endogenous erosion of the palatal surface of maxillary teeth.
Which type of gum should you choose?
Sugar-free chewing gums containing xylitol should undoubtedly be your mainstay when it comes to selection. It is a sugar substitute which has proven to be beneficial for your teeth for its anti-cariogenic effects and ability to maintain a suitable pH.
According to studies, it has also been proven that flavoured chewing gums stimulate more saliva because 85 percent of the salivary flow is related to gustatory stimulation and only 15pc, with mechanical stimulation.
When you decide to buy gum at grocery checkout, look for a sugarless gum that has PACKAGE'S ADA SEAL. This ADA seal actually tells that the product is safe for oral health and this gum will definitely help you prevent caries.
In conclusion, you should be very particular about the type of chewing gum you choose, making sure it does not contain allergens, sugar or any other potentially harmful ingredients. Moreover, it should not be relied upon as a replacement for regular teeth brushing and flossing. If you are concerned about the potential risks of chewing gum, it is always a good idea to talk to your dentist or healthcare provider.