Can chewing gum really clean your mouth?

Do you often chew gum to make sure your breath smells fresh or clean your mouth after a meal? Many ads claim that chewing gum can eliminate the harmful bacteria in the mouth and clean the teeth, especially after you have a meal. But, are these claims valid at all? Let’s dive a tad deeper into this matter to find out the actual truth.

Do you chew gum containing sugar?

Sugar-free gum is mostly preferred in recent times due to various reasons. Chewing gum containing significant amounts of sugar can leave a sweet residue on the tongue, teeth, and gums, which eventually becomes food for the microbes in the mouth. This further promotes microbial growth, gradually leading to foul breath, tartar deposits, cavities, and other oral infections caused by the bacteria.

As an alternative, you may choose to chew sugar-free gum. It is known to improve oral health by significantly neutralizing and rinsing off the acidic substances discharged by the oral bacteria. Over regular usage, it can reduce the chances of developing cavities or gum diseases too. Another advantage of chewing sugar-free gum is that it increases saliva production in the mouth, which acts as a natural rinse for the microbes and for residues by washing them away.

How can Xylitol be helpful?

Have you heard of an artificial sweetening agent called Xylitol? You may sometimes find it in the contents of chewing gum, especially if it is sugar-free. Along with producing a sweet taste, Xylitol significantly inhibits the growth of bacteria in the mouth and keeps them from getting adhered to the teeth surfaces. It is said that chewing gum containing Xylitol regularly can hinder the growth of few types of bacteria.

Apart from these, chewing gum can also help you maintain a fresher breath, especially if it has been a few hours since you brushed your teeth. However, this provides only temporary relief, and we always advise you to brush twice a day thoroughly to keep your mouth healthy and smelling fresh for longer.

It all comes down to the type of chewing gum you choose that can benefit or upset your oral health. It is best to go for sugar-free chewing gum containing Xylitol.

Reach out to us on call or through online consultation, and we’ll guide you further.