The chewing of sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel.
Look for chewing gum with the ADA Seal because you can be sure it's sugarless. All gums with the ADA Seal are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol. Of course, chewing sugar-containing gum increases saliva flow too, but it also contains sugar which is used by plaque bacteria to produce decay-causing acids.
Don’t let chewing sugarless gum replace brushing and flossing. It’s not a substitute. The ADA still recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or other interdental cleaners.
Look for chewing gum that carries the ADA Seal. The ADA Seal is your assurance that the sugar-free chewing gum has met the ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. You can trust that claims made on packaging and labeling for ADA-accepted products are true, because companies must verify all of the information to the ADA. Products with the ADA Seal say what they do and do what theyChewing gum is a soft, rubbery substance that’s designed to be chewed but not swallowed.
Recipes can vary among brands, but all chewing gums have the following basic ingredient
Gum. This is the nondigestible, rubbery base used to give gum its chewy qualit
Resin: This is usually added to strengthen gum and hold it together
Fillers. Fillers, such as calcium carbonate or talc, are used to give gum texture
Preservatives. These are added to extend shelf life. The most popular choice is an organic compound called butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Softeners. These are used to retain moisture and prevent the gum from hardening. They can include waxes like paraffin or vegetable oils
Sweeteners. Cane sugar, beet sugar, and corn syrup are popular sweeteners. Sugar-free gums use sugar alcohols such as xylitol or artificial sweeteners such as aspartame
Flavorings. Natural or synthetic flavorings are added to give gum the desired taste
Most chewing gum manufacturers keep their exact recipes a secret. They often refer to their specific combination of gum, resin, filler, softeners, and antioxidants as their “gum base.
All ingredients used in the processing of chewing gum have to be “food grade” and classified as fit for human consumption.”......y.s:Chewing gum can help or hurt your mouth. It really depends on the specific gum you choose and your personal dental health risk factors.
In some cases, chewing gum may be harmful to your oral health:
• If the gum contains sugar. Always check the ingredients of your gum. Chewing sugary gum increases your risk of developing cavities.
• If you have jaw pain. Chewing gum can strain your jaw, making temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders worse.
• If you have braces. Like taffy and caramel candy, gum can get stuck in your brackets. Besides the mess, it can also bend the wires, interfering with your orthodontic treatment.
But if none of these apply, good news! Chewing sugar-free gum may actually be helpful. The chewing process triggers your mouth to produce saliva. Not only does saliva wash away bits of food, but it also dilutes sugars and acids to prevent cavities. Plus, if you don’t have a toothbrush handy after a meal, popping in a stick of sugar-free gum can be a great way to freshen up your mouth.
And if you choose a xylitol-based gum, your dental health may get an added boost. Gum that contains xylitol has been found to help protect against cavities. A 2017 study examined the effect of regularly chewing xylitol gum on people with a high risk of tooth decay. Those who chewed xylitol gum had a 23% lower rate of cavities than participants who chewed non-xylitol gum.
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