In this post from Cornerstone Dental Arts in Greenfield IN we’re going to talk about that sticky wad of gum in your mouth. You know there can be benefits to gum chewing, but isn’t it a big risk for tooth decay?
It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum may 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 lessen plaque build-up. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes 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 are the ideal practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, select a sugarless gum with xylitol.
At Cornerstone Dental Arts in Greenfield IN we offer complete family dentistry. Patients from Maxwell, Charlottesville, Fountaintown, 46140, 46163, and 46055 also come to our office for cosmetic options. Contact us today!
Contact Cornerstone Dental Arts:
317-462-7696
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
920 N State St
Greenfield, Indiana
46140
