Chewing Gum-the dental benefits

The benefits of chewing gum extend beyond oral gratification, fresh breath and a way to expel nervous energy. While people may chew for many reasons, scientific research has shown that chewing gum can make a positive contribution to oral health in general and the teeth specifically. Chewing gum stimulates one of the most powerful defense mechanisms from the body-saliva. The partnership between chewing gum and saliva stimulation creates a powerful force that contributes to good dental health for the following areas:

What are the oral benefits?

• Alleviates dry mouth discomfort


• Freshens breath


• Neutralizes acids formed from in the mouth by bacteria


• Re-mineralizes enamel to strengthen teeth


• Cleans the mouth of food debris


• Whitens teeth by reducing stains and preventing stains from accumulating


• Reduces plaque


• Helps fight cavities


• Reduces gingivitis to maintain healthy gums


• Kills the germs that cause bad breath

Perhaps future benefits? Healthy Mouth/Healthy Body

New Research suggests that inflammation from the body could be a factor associated with disease like heart disease and dieabetes. This inflammation may be realted to the bacteria you find in the mouth. Research is currently being conducted to explore the role chewing gum might play in reducing inflammation causing bacteria in the mouth and therefore its contribution to the overall health of the body.

What does chewing gum do?

The physical act of chewing increases the flow of saliva in your mouth. If you chew after eating, the increased salivary flow can help neutralize and wash away the acids that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on your teeth. Over time, the acid can break down tooth enamel, creating the conditions for decay. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel. Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay. Newly on the market are chewing gums also containing a variety of therapeutic agents (such as xylitol) that could also enhance the gum's ability to re-mineralize teeth and reduce decay, or enabel gum to reduce plaque and gingivitis.

Does chewing gum replace brushing and flossing?

Chewing gum is an adjunct to brushing and flossing, but not a substitute for either. We continue to recommend brushing twice a day with a flouridated toothpaste and cleaning plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or other interproximinal dental cleaners.

The bottom line

Using chewing gum after meals to increase the flow of saliva in the mouth will aid in the reduction of acid concentration in the mouth helping to reduce cavity developement and periodontal disease.