Chewing Gum Isn't Just For The Kids Anymore
Is chewing gum bad for my teeth? Surprisingly enough, no! In fact, there are a lot of benefits that come from chewing gum after eating a meal that could cause you to see gum in a new light. The key is to chew the right gum under the right circumstances so you don't fill your mouth with harmful sugars. Read onto learn how chewing gum could help your teeth and which gum is right for you.
What Chewing Gum Can Do For Your Teeth
Chewing gum naturally makes your mouth produce more saliva. This saliva washes away harmful bacteria in your mouth, as well as the sugars those bacteria feed on. Chewing gum may also loosen food that gets stuck between your teeth, which will cut back on your brushing efforts at the end of the day. While sugary gums will add food for the bacteria in your mouth, sugarless gums will do nothing but wash them away. That's why they're beneficial.
The ADA Approves These Sugarless Gums
Back in 2007, the American Dental Association gave its coveted Seal of Acceptance to the following gum products from Wrigley's:
- Orbit
- Eclipse
- Extra
Note that the ADA only approved the sugar free versions of these gums. The sugared ones will still give the bacteria in your mouth something to munch on, so make sure you look at the wrapper before buying anything.
What To Look For In Chewing Gum
As you may have gathered by now, it is important to look for sugar free gum to chew. However, you need to keep in mind that even sugarless gums may contain natural sweeteners that are not directly derived from sugar. These will come from sweet foods like honey and molasses, which can still be bad for your teeth. Gum makers get away with calling the gum "sugar free," even if it is bad for your teeth.
Try to stick with the gums that have already been approved by the ADA. If you do not like any of those brands, check the ingredients on the back of your favorite "sugar free" gum. If you see ingredients ending in –ose (like glucose and sucrose), those are most likely from some other natural sweetener. They're going to be just as bad as sugared gums.
Avoid bubble gum at all costs and stick to the tips above. You'll be chewing your way to a bright smile in no time.