Dentists and dental hygienists in Spain are often confronted with numerous queries about the advantages of using one or another oral health product and sometimes even about the most bizarre products and theories that are hard to understand how they reach the population through the internet.
In today's post we will talk about the effects of chewing gum on the oral health of the average person, in order to clarify what we can expect from a product that is more than present in our lives and that, when used well, can help us to improve our teeth and gums.
Is it good to chew gum?
Chewing sugar-free chewing gum with Xylitol can be good for our oral health, numerous studies have found:
– Reduced presence of food debris and plaque due to increased self-cyclisation
– Control of the acids produced by oral bacteria from food debris
– Reducing tooth demineralisation caused by salivary pH variations
– Increase saliva production, beneficial for our teeth and gums.
Can I chew gum if I have braces?
Chewing gum is not the best thing for a patient with braces, but in the case of a long-standing habit, patients themselves point out that Orbit chewing gum is the gum that sticks the least to the braces fitted by dentists, so it is advisable to use this gum, which is also sugar-free.
In this respectthe most prestigious dentists and hygienists in the world. usually have access to the Wrigley Oral Healthcare ProgrammeThe initiative, developed by the chewing gum manufacturer, allows them to provide you with free samples and comprehensive information on the characteristics of chewing gum consumption.
Can I substitute chewing gum for brushing my teeth?
No, not at all.
Chewing gum can be beneficial for our teeth if consumed in moderation and provided it is sugar-free and contains xylitol, but under no circumstances can it be used as a substitute for toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste, as recommended by the international scientific community.
Is there a limit to the amount of chewing gum per day?
It is important to bear in mind that chewing gum, while it can be beneficial when done in moderation, also means that our teeth are contacting for 'extra' time than chewing, so consuming too much gum can affect our jaw muscles and, in the long term, lead to additional wear and tear on our teeth.
In any case, a consumption of 4-5 pieces of chewing gum per day can be considered moderate and, as mentioned above, completely beneficial for the oral health of most people.
Which chewing gum should I chew?
The characteristics of the ideal chewing gum are:
- Sugar-free, due to cariogenicity
- Xylitol, for its anti-cavity properties
- Not too sticky and does not leave residue on teeth and gums
