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Gum chewing: a healthy habit

  • Published
  • By Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C --  Did you know that gum chewing can help prevent dental disease?

A 2008 review in the Journal of the American Dental Association stated that chewing sugar free gum for 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay.

When you chew gum it stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth. Saliva is the body's natural defense against tooth decay.

Tooth decay originates from bacteria in our mouths that convert the sugars and starches that we eat into acidic byproducts.

These byproducts, in the form of dental plaque, sit on our teeth, erode the enamel and eventually cause a cavity to form.

The saliva helps loosen and wash away food particles and bacteria from teeth and gums. Saliva also acts as a buffering agent to help reverse the acidity in our mouths formed by bacteria.

There are many types of chewing gum on the market, but it is important to remember that only sugar free gum is suitable for the prevention of tooth decay.

Chewing gum with sugar will add to the sugar available for bacteria to convert to acid. Look for gum that contains sugar substitutes like xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol. These sugar substitutes are not digested by bacteria to form acidic plaque.

However, chewing gum does not take the place of regular brushing and flossing.

No matter how much gum you chew, there will always be food particles, plaque and bacteria that need to be mechanically removed with a toothbrush and floss. Also, chewing gum too often or too vigorously can cause problems with the jaw joint and muscles.

It has not been shown that there is any added benefit to chewing gum beyond the 20 minutes after a meal. Chewing more often than that may just add stress to your jaws and muscles.

Be sure to let your dentist know if you experience any pain from chewing.

Gum chewing is just one way to help prevent dental disease. For more information on other important ways to help prevent tooth decay, be sure to talk to your dentist. We have lots of helpful tips and we're here to serve you.