As many of us, you may have always wondered whether what they say is true – is chewing gum beneficial to my health? You’ll be glad to hear the answer is yes, AS LONG AS IT IS SUGAR FREE chewing gum of course.
The reason for this is simple. Chewing increases the flow of saliva. It’s this saliva that is good for your teeth because it has proteins and minerals in it that protect the teeth. So chewing after meals is ideal – just as the adverts have been telling us for years – ‘Eat, drink, CHEW!’
The main ingredient of sugar free chewing gum is a substance called xylitol which is calorie and sugar free. The purpose of xylitol is to make the gum taste nice and due to it being sugar free it cannot cause tooth decay. It is better for your body than typical white refined sugar that most of you would know as a sweetener. Xylitol is found naturally in many fruits and vegetables and can be extracted from berries, oats and mushrooms.
With this saliva increase protecting the teeth, studies have proved that this helps reduce cavities in teeth which are holes that form from bugs sitting on and in-between your teeth after eating and drinking. Swilling you mouth with water after eating can also help.
For anyone with a brace or may be thinking about having a brace, interestingly – chewing gum whilst wearing a brace can help move the teeth quicker. Our private Cardiff based dentist Dr Craig Lewis can go into more detail at our free consultations on white braces and clear braces.
Let’s not forget that brushing and flossing your teeth of course are the most important ways of looking after your teeth. Brushing twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and cleaning in-between the teeth using floss/interdental brushes and chewing after meals will reduce decay and gum disease.
Another saliva related dental fact which may interest you is that eating cheese is also good for your dental health because it produces saliva that is alkaline, thus neutralising any acid in your mouth which could cause harm to your teeth. Cheese creates a protective film around your teeth. The higher the PH level (the more alkaline) on the surface of the teeth, the more the teeth is protected against erosion and cavities.
Is THIS the reason we have always been told to say ‘CHEEEESE’ when photos are taken I wonder??
