Chewing gum has long been a popular habit for many people. While often seen as just a pastime, chewing gum actually has several potential health benefits. One of the biggest advantages of chewing gum is that it can support good oral health. Chewing gum increases saliva production, which helps wash away food debris and bacteria in the mouth. The increased flow of saliva also neutralizes acids that can lead to cavities. This makes chewing gum an easy way to help protect and strengthen tooth enamel after eating.
However, not all chewing gums are created equal when it comes to your dental health. The ingredients and formulation play a big role in determining how beneficial, or detrimental, a particular gum may be for your teeth. When choosing the healthiest gum, you want to look for options without sugar or artificial sweeteners. You also want gums made with natural ingredients that actively support oral health through enhanced cleaning, remineralization, or antibacterial action. Here’s an in-depth look at the key factors to consider when selecting the best and healthiest gum for your teeth.
Sugar Content
One of the most important factors for dental health is avoiding sugary gums. Sugar is a major contributor to cavities and tooth decay. When bacteria in your mouth digest sugar, they produce acids that erode and demineralize enamel. Chewing gum with sugar essentially provides fuel for the bacteria that harm your teeth. Over time, frequent exposure to sugary gum can break down enamel and lead to cavities or dental caries.
Many conventional gums are sweetened with sugar or corn syrup. Simply put, you’ll want to avoid gums that list “sugar” as an ingredient. Sugary gums provide no benefits in terms of cleaning your teeth. And any potential advantages from increased saliva are far outweighed by the damage and tooth decay caused by sugar consumption.
Instead, look for sugar-free gums to avoid unnecessary cavity risk. Sugar-free gums are sweetened with non-sugar sweeteners and do not contain sucrose, fructose, or other added sugars. Going with a sugar-free gum eliminates the dental health drawbacks of sugary gum.
Artificial Sweeteners
While sugar-free gums don’t contain actual sugar, the majority are sweetened with artificial sweeteners like aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose. These lab-created compounds provide the sweet taste of sugar without the actual sugar or calories. Unfortunately, artificial sweeteners come with their own set of risks and adverse effects.
Evidence suggests artificial sweeteners can be problematic for dental health in a few key ways. For one, they seem to lower pH levels in the mouth and promote acidity. Increased acidity creates an environment conducive to enamel erosion and cavities. Artificial sweeteners may also disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the mouth. This can inhibit the healthy bacteria that defend against cavity-causing microbes. There are also concerns that artificial sweeteners increase the risk of fungal infections like oral thrush.
With the potential dental health implications, artificial sweeteners are best limited or avoided when it comes to the healthiest chewing gum. Look for gum made without aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, or any other artificial sweeteners. Instead, seek out gums sweetened with natural sugar alternatives like xylitol or stevia.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol derived from plant fibers. It provides a sweet taste comparable to sugar, but without spiking blood sugar or insulin levels. Unlike sugar and artificial sweeteners, xylitol offers protective dental health benefits.
Xylitol helps reduce cavities and tooth decay in a few key ways. For one, xylitol does not break down into the damaging acids that erode tooth enamel like sugar does. It also helps neutralize plaque acidity in the mouth by boosting saliva production. This creates a less cavity-promoting environment.
Research shows xylitol additionally inhibits the growth of Streptococcus Mutans bacteria, one of the main cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. With regular use, xylitol can reduce the amount of harmful strep bacteria and make room for more beneficial flora. Finally, xylitol enhances teeth remineralization to actively rebuild and strengthen enamel.
With all of these dental health advantages, xylitol is an excellent choice as a natural sweetener in chewing gum. Seek out gums containing xylitol, especially among the first few ingredients. For optimal effect, look for gums with xylitol as the primary or sole sweetener.
Other Ingredients
Aside from sweeteners, also check the ingredient list for any other questionable additives. You’ll want to avoid gums containing artificial colors, preservatives, emulsifiers, or chemical flavorings when possible. These types of processed ingredients provide no health or dental benefits. And certain additives may even have detrimental effects.
Instead, look for gums made with more natural ingredients. Herbal extracts like mint, cinnamon, or citrus oils can provide flavor using natural plant essences. Some gums also include mineral salts or oils that can help strengthen and remineralize tooth enamel. Essential fatty acids like coconut oil may also inhibit cavity-causing bacteria. Prioritize simpler gum with recognizable, health-supporting ingredients.
Gum Base
An important yet often overlooked factor is the gum base itself. This provides the chewy texture for chewing gum. But the gum base also impacts the breakdown and clearance of gum from your mouth.
Conventional gum bases are made from a form of synthetic rubber called polyvinyl acetate, or PVA. This petroleum-derived gum base does not break down readily. As a result, remnants tend to stick around in the mouth, coating teeth and trapping food debris. This contributes to cavity development and erosion of tooth enamel.
For better dental health, look for options made with natural gum bases. These are derived from renewable materials like tree sap or vegetable oils. Natural gum bases like chicle provide a smoother, less tacky chew. They also break down more completely, inhibiting bacterial growth. This allows for thorough clearing from the mouth and teeth.
Fluoride Content
Many gums also contain fluoride, the mineral best known for cavity prevention. Fluoride helps make teeth more resistant to acid attacks by promoting remineralization of enamel. It also inhibits bacterial enzymes needed for cavity-causing bacteria to metabolize sugars.
For these reasons, fluoride is a common active ingredient in many oral health products. Fluoridated chewing gum can provide an added boost of this protective mineral each time you chew. This makes it a beneficial addition for those looking to optimize gum for dental health.
However, fluoride content can vary widely between different brands and formulations of gum. Some only contain trace amounts, while others provide a substantial percentage of your daily recommended intake. Check fluoride content on the packaging or ingredient list when prioritizing dental health. Brands with higher fluoride content typically advertise this benefit prominently as well.
Also keep in mind that fluoride is toxic in very high amounts. So enjoy fluoridated gum in moderation as part of your overall dental health regimen. For most people, the fluoride provided by things like gum, toothpaste, and municipal water supplies is well within safe limits. But excessive consumption could potentially lead to fluorosis or fluoride overdose.
Sugar-Free with Xylitol
In summary, the healthiest gum for your teeth will be sugar-free and formulated with xylitol as the primary sweetener. Xylitol gum helps reduce cavity-causing bacteria while enhancing remineralization. It also lacks the damaging acids produced when bacteria metabolize sugar that erode tooth enamel. Brands that additionally contain natural ingredients and natural gum bases are even better for oral health.
Look for gums with xylitol listed as one of the first few ingredients, indicating it is predominant in the formula. Spry gum is one excellent choice, containing over 35% xylitol as the main sweetener. It also has natural gum base, mint flavours from essential oils, and no artificial sweeteners. Other leading xylitol gums include options from brands like Epic Dental, Pur, Glee Gum, and Xyloburst.
For maximum cavity protection, use xylitol gum regularly after meals and snacks. This helps clear food debris and neutralize plaque acids for strengthened, healthier teeth and gums. However, xylitol can have a laxative effect if consumed in very high amounts. So stick to no more than 2-3 pieces per day, and be sure to gradually introduce xylitol gum over time.
Other Oral Health Benefits
While cavity prevention is the best-known benefit, chewing gum also provides additional oral and dental health advantages. Here is an overview of some of the other ways healthy gum can support better dental health:
– Strengthens enamel – In addition to remineralization from ingredients like xylitol, chewing boosts saliva flow. Saliva contains calcium and phosphate ions that help rebuild and harden weakened enamel.
– Clears food debris – Chewing gum dislodges trapped food particles that can lead to plaque buildup and bacterial growth between teeth. This helps keep your mouth cleaner.
– Neutralizes plaque acids – Saliva has a neutral pH that helps counteract acids from plaque bacteria that demineralize enamel. This reduces risk of cavities.
– Freshens breath – Xylitol and increased saliva production inhibit smelly bacteria that cause bad breath. Chewing mint-flavoured gum leaves a clean, fresh mouth.
– Reduces inflammation – Certain gum ingredients like manuka honey have anti-inflammatory effects that help soothe gum inflammation. This may aid gingivitis and other periodontal diseases.
– Strengthens jaws – Chewing regularly provides a mild workout for your jaw muscles and joints. This may benefit those with TMJ issues.
Oral Health Precautions
While sugar-free, xylitol gum provides extensive benefits, there are also some precautions to keep in mind:
– May stick to dental work – Natural gum bases break down more readily than synthetic gum bases. But gum remnants may still stick to fillings, braces, dentures, or other oral prosthetics.
– Not as effective as brushing/flossing – Gum helps clear some food debris and plaque acids. But it is not a replacement for mechanical removal of plaque through brushing and flossing.
– Choking hazard – Like any chewy or sticky candy, gum poses a potential choking risk for young children if not chewed properly. Supervise gum chewing for toddlers.
– Tooth wear over time – While occasional sugar-free gum chewing is fine for dental health, very frequent chewing may cause slight wear to the biting surfaces of teeth over many years.
– May need to avoid with TMJ – Extended gum chewing can strain the jaw joint for those with temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMJ issues.
So enjoy xylitol gum in moderation as part of your oral care routine for optimal dental health benefits. Use it as a supplemental plaque fighter alongside regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings.
Conclusion
Chewing gum can offer advantages for oral health when chosen wisely. For the healthiest gum, avoid conventional options with sugar or artificial sweeteners. Instead, select a natural, sugar-free gum sweetened primarily with xylitol. Leading options include Spry, Epic Dental, Pur, Xyloburst, and other xylitol gums. With regular use after eating, xylitol gum helps prevent cavities, strengthen enamel, and promote healthier teeth and gums. Just be sure to use xylitol gum in moderation, up to several pieces per day. While extremely high amounts could have a laxative effect, normal gum chewing provides safe dental protection and fresher breath.