Is Chewing Gum Good for My Smile? | Riverside Dentist

We all know we shouldn’t consume a lot of sugary snacks if we want our smiles to remain healthy. Have you ever stopped to think – is choosing sugar-free gum even necessary? It turns out, many sugar-free products do work, and it is because of a common sugar replacement called Xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, a natural, sweet substance often used to sweeten foods without the caloric impact of sugar. While Xylitol is sweet, it doesn’t have the same impact on your body as sugar.

Cavity-causing bacteria needs to feed on sugar; happily, it cannot feed on Xylitol. Chewing sugar-free gum containing Xylitol not only prevents damaging bacteria, but it allows your body to wash away the sugar by producing more saliva. Over time, fewer and fewer bacteria will live in the mouth, and less plaque will form.

The good news is, gum and mint products are the most common sources of Xylitol for dental impact. If Xylitol is listed as the first ingredient, it likely has enough to decrease decay-causing bacteria over time if chewed regularly. How much is regularly? Even as much as 3-5 times per day for 5 minutes at a time.

Xylitol has been approved as safe by the U.S. FDA and World Health Organization but should be taken in moderation. Too much Xylitol can be difficult for your body to digest. However, chewing gum a few times per day is a cheap, simple way to keep your teeth clean, while fighting off cavities, making it a great snack to enjoy.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton in Riverside, CA at (951) 688-3442 or visit www.gmdental.com.

Dr. Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside, Corona, San Bernardino, Redlands, Moreno Valley, Lake Elsinore and all surrounding areas.

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