Hello gum chewers! The Allen Park dentist is 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 beneficial 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 cut down plaque build-up. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes tooth 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 optimal practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, choose a sugarless gum with xylitol.
Allen Park Dental Care offers family and cosmetic dentistry. Call our caring and professional team today for an appointment!
Contact Szalai & Szalai DDS – Allen Park Dental Care:
313-928-2323
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
5329 Allen Rd
Allen Park, Michigan
48101