Hello gum chewers! In this post from The Sugar House Dentist in Salt Lake City 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 Sugar House Dentist in Salt Lake City we offer complete family and children’s dentistry. Patients from Millcreek, Holladay, and elsewhere also come to our office for dental implants, and much more. Call to schedule your next checkup with us today!
Contact The Sugar House Dentist:
801.618.0197
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1955 S 1300 E Ste L2
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
