The average American chews about 300 sticks of gum every year. Is this good or bad for oral health?
Dr. Nathan Klabunde and his team at Northwoods Dental Group in Columbus get this question a lot. Here are the guidelines they give patients.
Chewing gum can be good or bad for oral health, depending on what you chew and how often. First and foremost, go for sugarless gum that carries the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. All gums with the ADA seal are deemed safe and are sweetened with non-cavity-causing sweeteners like aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol, or mannitol. Sugar-sweetened gum can increase your risk for tooth decay and cavities.
Chewing sugarless gum can help prevent tooth decay by increasing saliva production, which helps neutralize and rinse away acid in your mouth. This increased saliva flow helps clear away food particles and bacteria, strengthen teeth, and reduce acid in your mouth that weakens tooth enamel.
Clinical trials have found decreased caries incidence in subjects who chewed sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals.
Sugar-free gum can also temporarily alleviate the discomfort associated with dry mouth, while mint-flavored gum can temporarily mask bad breath.
Some sugar-free chewing gums have a ‘whitening' claim. Although these products cannot lighten the natural color of your teeth, they may help to lessen staining that can build up on your teeth due to smoking or drinking red wine or coffee.
Even sugarless gum can harm your oral health. Excessive gum chewing can put too much force on your temporomandibular joints, muscles, and teeth, leading to jaw pain, clicking or popping in the joints, headaches, and even tooth fractures. People with temporomandibular disorders (TMJ) should avoid gum altogether, while others should limit their chewing to fewer than 20 minutes after a meal.
Excessive chewing can also loosen dental work, such as fillings and crowns, and can also dislodge or damage dental work. If you wear dentures, chewing gum could make them come loose. And, if you have braces, chewing gum can cause brackets to loosen or even fall out.
Stay away from sugar-sweeten gums and chew sugarless gum in moderation. Sugarless gum does offer some benefits. But, it should never replace your regular oral hygiene routine of brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and visiting our office every six months for a professional cleaning and checkup.
If you have specific concerns about your oral health, book an appointment with the team at Northwoods Dental Group, call 614-333-8858, or request an appointment through our website.
