Is Chewing Gum Good For Your Teeth?

Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, which helps to clear away food, rinse away bacteria, strengthen the enamel on your teeth and reduce acid in your mouth that can dissolve the enamel.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a natural sweetener which can be effective at preventing cavities. Sugar-free gum often contains xylitol and it has been shown to reduce the amount of cavity causing bacteria in plaque. It also helps to neutralise acids made by bacteria, strengthening tooth enamel.

Can Gum Strengthen My Teeth?

Some chewing gums contain a substance called phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). It has been shown to remineralize or slow down tooth decay.

What Gum Should I Use?

Make sure that you are chewing sugar-free gum. If you use gum that contains sugar, your teeth will be constantly surrounded by a sugary environment until you dispose of the gum. This would be very harmful to your teeth.

Do I Still Need To Brush My Teeth?

Yes. Chewing gum is not an alternative to brushing your teeth. It is helpful to use between meals to neutralise the acd left behind but is it not a substitute to brushing and flossing.