Improving Your Gum-Ption: What Chewing Sugar-Free Gum Can Do For You

Candy of all types is delicious, but is known for not being the best for your mouth's health and happiness. But for those times when you just want something in your mouth but don't want to eat anything, you should skip the candy and instead turn to something that actually is good for your mouth: sugar-free gum. So if you're interested in what the benefits of chewing sugar-free gum are and how it can help you individually, then here's what you need to know.

It Fights Cavities

You may be a bit skeptical that a stick of gum can actually help your teeth stay cavity-free, but it's a proven fact of science. Chewing gum increases the amount of saliva that your mouth produces, which in turn helps to wash away the acids that can form from food being broken down by your teeth. Those acids, if left unattended, can break down the enamel on your teeth, leaving you vulnerable to the bacteria that create cavities in your teeth. As an extra bonus, more saliva can mean more calcium and phosphate (both minerals are found naturally in your saliva) in your mouth, and both calcium and phosphate help to rebuild and strengthen the enamel on your teeth, further protecting you against cavities.

It Builds Up Your Teeth

Sugarless gum's ability to fight cavities isn't the only reason your favorite brand could have the American Dental Association's seal of approval. Some gums have different active ingredients such as CPP-ACP (more commonly known as recaldent) or xylitol which can help to re-mineralize your teeth (which basically turns back the clock on any stripping of minerals that might have occurred due to bacteria feeding on your teeth) or help to reduce the amount of plaque (or the bacteria which lead to gingivitis) within your mouth, ensuring stronger and cleaner teeth.

It Freshens Your Breath...

...So long as you choose some variety of mint or cinnamon, that is. Gums with a fresh scent can leave your mouth smelling much fresher after just a few minutes of chewing it – which is good news if you want to get rid of the smell of your lunch but don't have any mouthwash or mints (or if you just prefer not to use mints or mouthwash for whatever reason). If you love foods like brie, onion, mustard, garlic, or curry, but don't love the odd looks your coworkers give you when you talk to them up close after lunch, it's probably a good idea to pop a stick of gum in your mouth once your lunch break is over and speak with confidence.

For help picking out the best types of tooth-friendly gum, speak with a dentist such as David Jackson, DDS.