Chances are you’ve chewed a piece of gum once or twice, but is it bad for your teeth? At SouthPointe Dental, we’ve got you covered. Here we’ll talk about xylitol, xylitol benefits, and things you should look for when chewing gum. In our article we’ll cover:
- What is the healthiest gum to chew? Learn about xylitol benefits – you might be surprised!
- Does xylitol clean teeth? Find out how chewing xylitol gum could help you.
Gum Chewing: Helpful Or Harmful?
You may have heard that chewing gum promotes tooth decay, and usually this is the case. However, there is a fascinating component found on our earth known as Xylitol, and when put in the gum we chew, it works to prevent tooth decay. Xylitol benefits you as an all-natural sweetener, and when used instead of sugar in gum, it does more than just keep the sugar out of your mouth; this replacement actually defends your teeth from cavities and decay.
How Does Xylitol Benefit You and Does It Work?
Using Xylitol gum after meals and snacks can help reduce the acid level in your mouth, which protects your teeth from enamel erosion. It also stimulates salivary flow 10 times the normal rate, which helps to wash away the acid and food particles that are produced by the bacteria and plague found in your mouth. When toothbrushing is impractical after consuming food, chewing xylitol gum helps neutralize the acid because of the increased concentration of bicarbonates. While it is not intended to replace tooth brushing and flossing, it helps considerably with dry mouth.
In detail, Please.
Xylitol is a white crystalline substance that is used to replace sugar in a myriad of products because it looks and tastes just like it. It is found naturally; it can be extracted from birch, plums, corn, mushrooms, or raspberries. While it is not a sugar, it is a sugar alcohol. Sometimes it is referred to as wood sugar or birch sugar. As part of our normal metabolism, our bodies produce up to 15mg per day.
Using Xylitol benefits you in preventing tooth decay and was “discovered” in the early 1970s, in Finland. The bacteria that is found in our mouths, called streptococcus mutants, creates toxins and acids that work to dissolve our teeth when sucrose –or refined sugar–is eaten. Because Xylitol is not fermented by oral bacteria, it cannot cause cavities (caries). There are many ways this amazing substance works magic on our smile:
- Inhibits the growth of s.mutans and lactobacilli, which are both cavity producing bacterias that are found in the mouth, by as much as 90%.
- Prevents spreading of the aforementioned bacteria from mother to child.
- Reduces the ability of plague to stick to the teeth.
- Stimulates the flow of saliva in the mouth. which creates a wonderful buffer against acids. This aids in the remineralization of your teeth.
It is important to note that the dosage and Xylitol benefits that are added to chewing gum or candy is critical. To receive the benefits discussed above, you should receive 6 to 10 grams of Xylitol each day. When reading a label to see whether or not your product contains Xylitol, be sure that it is the first sugar listed; hopefully it will be the only sugar substance contained in the product. To be truly effective, Xylitol gum should be utilized several times throughout the day over longs periods of time. (6 months, a year, two years)
Xylitol is not only added to gum, but also other oral hygiene products such as toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and fluoride supplements. When brushing and flossing is not optional, chewing Xylitol gum, or even mints with xylitol, are a wonderful alternative. It also greatly helps those who suffer from dry mouth, stimulating the flow of saliva, and exposed tooth root surfaces, as decay prevention.
It should be noted that chewing any gum should not be overdone, as it could cause headaches or jaw discomfort. If you have questions, please call our office to see what suggestions our “dentists near me” have for product recommendations. If you would like to see one of our dentists to discuss any concerns, you can schedule online 24/7.
The information on this page was written by Dr. Sydney Joyce.
This gentle Lincoln, NE dentists says: “For the past years, I have been extremely privileged to be part of this great profession, which I have only grown to love more with each passing year. There is nothing more rewarding than teaching and helping my patients care for their smiles and helping them to be healthier overall. Quality dental care is my number one goal, but I also feel that patients deserve personalized care where they are given their options for treatment and can help decide what course they would like to take. While providing excellent dental care for you, I want your dental experience to be comfortable and positive.”
You can schedule with this Lincoln, NE dentist, or her partners, online 24/7 at a SouthPointe Dental Location near you. This “dentist near me” serves the local communities close to Lincoln. Some of the communities include Roca, Bennet, Firth, Crete, and Hickman!
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- Coddington Dental – West Lincoln
- NorthStar Dental – North Lincoln
- SouthPointe Dental – Southwest Lincoln
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Nebraska Family Dentistry has Lincoln Dental clinics in all parts of Lincoln. Choose a “near me dentist” location that is convenient for you.