Hello gum chewers, today we’re going to talk about that sticky wad in your mouth. You know that it can freshen your breath, but can it really help shield your smile from decay?
It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum can be helpful in removing bits of food from the surface of teeth, but that benefit is negated by the stream of sugar washing over your teeth as you chew.
However, gum with some alternative sweeteners has an added benefit for your pearly whites. Xylitol is a sweetener that not only has fewer calories than traditional sugars, but also has antimicrobial properties that curtail plaque build-up. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria which causes cavities.
So if you’re headed out to a restaurant, bring a pack of sugar-free gum with you and pop it in your mouth when your meal is done. Of course, brushing and flossing are the proper practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, elect a sugarless gum with xylitol.
I’m Drs. Lou and Nick Vitangeli of Vitangeli Dental. We offer cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and dental implants. If you have any questions about how to improve your oral health, or if you would like details about any of our cutting-edge cosmetic dental care such as teeth whitening, veneers, or complete smile transformations, give us a call today at 937-836-3565.
Call our friendly and gentle team today for an appointment!
Contact Vitangeli Dental:
937-836-3565
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
320 Union Blvd
Englewood, Ohio
45322
