Do you know that chewing gum can boost your oral health? Read to know the benefits of chewing sugar free gum.
Chewing Gum
Chewing gum is a soft, rubbery substance meant for chewing without swallowing.
Essential ingredients in all chewing gums include:
- Gum: A non-digestible, rubbery base providing a chewy texture.
- Resin: Strengthening agent to hold the gum together.
- Fillers: Substances like calcium carbonate or talc for texture.
- Preservatives: Typically butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) to extend shelf life.
- Softeners: Retain moisture and prevent hardening, including waxes or vegetable oils.
- Sweeteners: Cane sugar, beet sugar, corn syrup, or sugar alcohols like xylitol for sweetness.
- Flavorings: Natural or synthetic flavorings for taste.
Manufacturers often keep their specific recipes secret, referring to their unique combination as the “gum base.” All ingredients must meet “food grade” standards and be deemed safe for human consumption.
Benefits of Chewing Gum
Let’s explore the benefits of chewing sugar free gum.
Relieve Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a common condition resulting from decreased saliva production. It can be caused by medical conditions like lupus and Parkinson’s disease and certain medications such as pain meds, muscle relaxers, decongestants, antihistamines, and antidepressants. Saliva production is among the many benefits of chewing sugar free gum. It stimulates saliva production, offering relief for dry mouth.
Prevent Cavities
The benefits of chewing sugar free gum include the prevention of cavities. Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can reduce the risk of developing cavities. This practice helps clear away food particles by increasing saliva production, and it also works to neutralize bacteria that can lead to cavities.
Boost Enamel Strength
The acid in your mouth leads to cavities and can erode enamel. One of the best benefits of chewing sugar free gum is increasing enamel strength. Chewing gum plays a role in reducing acid, contributing to enamel protection. Strengthening your enamel through this method makes you less susceptible to developing cavities.
Minimize Tooth Sensitivity
Professional teeth whitening can sometimes result in tooth sensitivity. However, one of the benefits of chewing sugar-free gum is alleviating tooth sensitivity. A study demonstrated that individuals who chewed sugarless gum after teeth whitening experienced significantly less sensitivity. Researchers suggest that sugarless gum helps prevent sensitivity by increasing saliva production.
Refresh Your Breath
One of the best benefits of chewing sugar-free gum is fresh breath. Chewing gum not only contributes to better oral health but also aids in keeping your breath fresh. Xylitol, a natural sweetener in most sugarless gums, plays a role in freshening breath. Additionally, sugarless gum helps combat harmful bacteria that can lead to odor, further enhancing its breath-freshening properties.
Boosts Saliva Production
Chewing gum stimulates the jaw, leading to increased saliva production and flow. This action helps dilute mouth acids, flush out plaque, and eliminate lodged food particles from various areas.
Prevents Tooth Decay
Enhanced salivary flow delays the risk of dental decay. Studies comparing mouth pH before and after chewing sugar-free gum have shown reduced acidity levels, creating an environment less conducive to tooth decay. Since there is no actual sugar in the gum, a key factor for decay is eliminated.
Reduces Bacteria in Mouth
Among the many benefits of chewing sugar free gum is the reduction of harmful bacteria in your mouth. It’s proven to decrease the presence of bacteria that contribute to mouth decay. Derived from fruits and vegetables, this ingredient promotes overall health.
Enhances Digestion
The initial stage of digestion starts in the mouth, with improved salivary flow. The benefits of chewing sugar free gum enhance digestion. It contributes to more effective food digestion and reduces the likelihood of acid reflux.
Conclusion
The blog guides you on the benefits of chewing sugar free gum. It prevents your mouth from harmful bacteria and increases saliva production. Go for sugar free gum and avoid sugary chewing gums.
Contact Dentalsway for more information on promoting oral health. We are happy to helpyou.
