Hello gum chewers! In this post from Falls Pointe Dental in Raleigh, we’re going to talk about that sticky wad in your mouth. You know that it can freshen your breath, but doesn’t it contribute to tooth 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 which not only has fewer calories than traditional sugars, but it also has antimicrobial properties that curtail plaque build-up. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes tooth decay.
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 is better for your dental health, but when you can’t brush, opt for a sugarless gum with xylitol.
At Falls Pointe Dental in Raleigh, we offer general and cosmetic dentistry, and have evening and weekend hours to make seeing us as convenient as possible. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today.