What is sugar-free gum?
Sugar-free gum does not have any sugar in it. The taste is added using sweeteners, and therefore the gum does not cause tooth decay. The gum releases its flavours over a period of time, just like ordinary gum.
Why is chewing sugar-free gum good for my teeth and gums?
Chewing sugar-free gum helps protect your teeth and gums in between meals when it may not be possible to brush with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Your teeth are more at risk of acid attack after you have eaten. The acid is produced by plaque bacteria, and the sugars in our food and drink, and it slowly dissolves away the enamel and dentine of the tooth, to produce a hole or `cavity'. (Plaque is the thin, sticky film that keeps forming on your teeth. It contains many types of bacteria which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.)
You can reduce this acid attack by chewing sugar-free gum, as it helps the mouth to produce more saliva - the mouth's natural defence against acid.
Can sugar-free gum help to protect against dental erosion?
Dental erosion is caused by the acids in the things we eat and drink, such as citrus fruit, fruit juices and fizzy drinks. These start to eat into the enamel covering the teeth, and remove some of the minerals making up the enamel. By helping us make more saliva, chewing sugar-free gum can also help to reduce this type of acid attack. It takes the saliva about an hour to replace the minerals that the enamel has lost. Chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating or drinking can increase the flow of saliva, and help replace the minerals more quickly.
See the diagram below. It shows how your tooth enamel is at risk from acid attack after food and drink, and how long it takes the acid level in the mouth to return to the safe zone. pH is the measure of acidity, with levels below 5.5 being acid enough to soften tooth enamel. Chewing sugar-free gum after eating can quickly lower the amount of acid that attacks the teeth.
Can chewing sugar-free gum help with dry mouth and bad breath?
Dry mouth and bad breath are often caused by a reduced saliva flow. When you chew sugar-free gum your mouth makes more saliva and the symptoms of dry mouth and bad breath may be reduced.
What is Xylitol and where does it come from?
Xylitol is a natural sweetener and is found in some berries, fruit, vegetables and mushrooms. It has a sweetness equal to that of sugar. Xylitol is usually made from birch bark.
Why is Xylitol especially good for my teeth?
Xylitol helps to prevent plaque bacteria sticking to the teeth. Studies have shown that xylitol can help reduce tooth decay and even help reverse the decay itself by helping to replace the minerals in tooth enamel.
When should I chew sugar-free gum?
It is best to chew soon after eating.
Chewing for up to twenty minutes increases the flow of saliva, speeding up the time that it takes for saliva to cancel out the acid. Remember that plaque starts to form again within half an hour of cleaning your teeth.
