Chewing Gum. Good or Bad for Oral Health?

If you have paid attention to chewing gum ads over the past few years, you have undoubtedly

been told to catch the wave, blow your bubbles, whiten while you chew, and clean up bad breath. The list could go on and on and on.

But don’t gum companies just want you to chew gum because they want to sell gum? At Dakota Dental, we say, “probably.”

Then there are the old wives’ tales about the dangers of chewing gum. And heaven forbid you swallow it because you never know what it might do in your stomach.

The dental care team at Dakota Dental wants you to know that it is unlikely that gum will rot your teeth, ruin your appetite, or create a soccer net in your stomach. In fact, the Dakota Dental family dentists routinely tell their patients that choosing the right kind of gum can actually be a good thing.

In fact, chewing sugar-free gum can promote good oral health and healthy teeth. Because bacteria thrive on sugar, chewing regular sugar-filled gum increases bacterial activity leading to an increase in the acids that cause teeth cavities. But sugar-free gum can actually suppress bacterial action, especially if the sweetener is xylitol. Studies have shown that long-term use of xylitol not only inhibits cavity-causing bacteria but reduces it.

Even though sugar-free gum can help to prevent some dental health issues, Dakota Dental knows it is just part of the picture. To better prevent oral health problems it is still essential to brush twice daily and floss once a day.

If you have any questions about chewing gum and taking care of your teeth, contact Dakota Dental at www.DakotaDental.com or 952-431-5774.