Chewing gum helps prevent cavities. A sweetener in sugar-free gum can stop bacteria from sticking to teeth. Saliva contains minerals that help to rebuild tooth enamel. Here are a few things that you may not have known about the health benefits of chewing sugar-free gum.
- Chewing sugar-free gum benefits your dental health by stimulating saliva flow.
- The saliva that gum chewing stimulates brings in calcium and phosphate that aids tooth enamel remineralization.
- Saliva can also neutralize acids in your mouth and clean away food debris.
- Increased saliva flow and gum flavoring both work to combat bad breath.
- Xylitol, a natural sweetener often found in sugar-free gums, can prevent bacteria from adhering to teeth, neutralizes acids, and even set back bacteria growth.
- Xylitol can also be found in many toothpastes and mouthwashes.
- Other sweeteners found in sugar-free gum include aspartame, mannitol, and sorbitol.
- Chewing sugar-free gum is recommended for 20 minutes after eating because this is the time when your teeth are most at risk from acid attack.
- When you chew sugar-free gum after meals, you are reducing your risk of getting cavities and gingivitis.
- Some chewing gums available are specifically designed to help strengthen teeth and reduce tooth decay.