Everyone knows that candy will cement to your teeth and pave the road to cavities, right? That is usually the case but many studies are indicating that sugar-free gum is different. Sometimes, sugar-free gum can actually be good for your oral health.
Every convenience store, pharmacy, or grocery store stock the racks by the cash register with plenty of gum. If you are human, you have probably stared at the racks wondering which pack of gum to buy. Here’s our first tip: skip the gum with sugar because sugar-filled gum can stick to your teeth and degrade the enamel. You should, however, search for sugar-free gum. When you chew sugar-free gum, it can stick to the plaque in your teeth and pull it out. It acts like a toothbrush, cleaning your teeth and freshening your breath.
Sugar-free gum is also a great product because chewing increases your salivation levels. Saliva is your body’s way of breaking down food and fighting bacteria in your mouth, so more saliva means better oral health.
Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), or recaldent, is becoming a common ingredient in gum because it actually strengthens the tooth. It mineralizes and hardens the enamel, making your teeth less likely to decay. If you ever spot gum with recaldent, then it would be a good idea to purchase it.
Here at Stones Crossing Dentistry, we want you to have a healthier smile, so next time you’re contemplating your gum choice at the cash register, remember what you learned here and try to choose the best gum for your teeth.
