About this topic
Chewing gum can be helpful or harmful to your teeth. It all depends on the kind of gum you chew. Chewing gum with sugar in it may raise your chances of having tooth decay while chewing sugar free gum may lower your chances. ‚
General
All people have germs in their mouth. After you eat, you have food pieces left on and in your teeth. The germs mix with food and make acid. The acid can eat away at the protective enamel of the tooth and cause tooth decay. Gum with sugar lets the germs make more acid and cause more tooth decay. ‚
When you chew any kind of gum, you increase the amount of saliva or spit in your mouth. The extra saliva can help to rinse away the bits of food. With sugar free gum, your extra saliva can also help lower the amount of acid in your mouth. ‚
Many kinds of sugar free gum have a natural sweetener called xylitol. This natural sweetener kills a kind of germ that often lives in your mouth and has been shown to cause tooth decay. When you chew gum with xylitol in it, these germs no longer stick to the teeth and have a much harder time causing problems. ‚
What will the results be?
When you chew sugar free gum, especially if it has xylitol, after meals and snacks you may have less chance of tooth decay. ‚
Will there be any other care needed?
Chewing gum does not replace the need to brush and floss your teeth. ‚
- Brush your teeth after each meal at least 2 times a day. Do not rush when you brush. Spend 2 full minutes cleaning all of your teeth, using a toothpaste with fluoride.
- Use dental floss to clean between your teeth at least 1 time each day.
- Try to stay away from foods and drinks that are high in sugar and starch, such as chocolate, sweets, cakes, and drinks that have sugar.
- See your dentist for routine cleaning and checkups.
Where can I learn more?
Academy of General Dentistry ‚
http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=F&iid=1193&aid=8027 ‚
American Dental Association ‚
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/c/chewing-gum ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚