Hello gum chewers! In this post from The Fort Collins Dentist 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 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 ideal practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, select a sugarless gum with xylitol.
At The Fort Collins Dentist we offer complete general and family dentistry. Patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor also come to our office for cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Call to schedule your next checkup with us today!
Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:
970-221-5115
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526
