Hello gum chewers, today we’re going to talk about that sticky wad in your mouth. You know that it can freshen your breath, but can it really help guard your smile from tooth decay?
It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum can 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 cavities.
So if you’re headed out to any restaurants in the Cary area, 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 prime practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, choose a sugarless gum with xylitol.
I’m Dr. Allan Acton of Cary Family Dental. We offer teeth whitening, sedation dentistry, and dentures. If you have any questions about how to beautify your oral health, or if you would like information about any of our revolutionary cosmetic dental care such as teeth whitening, veneers, or complete cosmetic dental smile makeovers, give us a call today at 919-371-4428.
Call our welcoming team today for an appointment!
Contact Cary Family Dental:
919-371-4428
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1149 Kildaire Farm Rd
Cary, North Carolina
27511
