You may have been told that you should not chew gum because it is bad for your teeth. However, you can still enjoy sugarless gum. While sugar-containing gum can harm your teeth, sugarless gum can benefit your oral health.
Benefits of Chewing Sugarless Gum
Alleviate dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a common health condition. It occurs when saliva production is decreased. Certain medical conditions, such as lupus and Parkinson’s disease, can cause dry mouth. There are also medications that can cause dry mouth such as pain medications, muscle relaxers, decongestants, antihistamines and antidepressants. Chewing sugarless gum increases the production of saliva.
Prevent Cavities
If you chew sugarless gum 20 minutes after you eat a meal, then you will be less likely to develop cavities. The gum helps wash away food particles by increasing saliva production. It also helps neutralize cavity-causing bacteria.
Strengthen Your Enamel
The acid in your mouth not only causes cavities, but it can also cause enamel erosion. Because chewing gum helps reduce acid, it can help protect your enamel. If you have a stronger enamel, then you will be less likely to develop cavities.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitivity is one of the side effects of getting your teeth whitened by a professional. However, you can reduce tooth sensitivity by chewing sugar-free gum. There was a study done that showed people who chewed sugarless gum after they had their teeth whitened had significantly less sensitivity. Researchers believe that sugarless gum helps prevent sensitivity by increasing saliva production.
Freshen Your Breath
Not only does sugar-free gum help improve your oral health, but it also helps freshen your breath. Xylitol is the natural sweetener that is found in most types of sugarless gum. This sweetener helps freshen your breath. Furthermore, sugarless gum helps freshen your breath by killing bad bacteria that can cause odor.
