
Hello gum chewers, in this blog post from Aspen Ridge Dental in Casper we’re going to talk about that sticky wad in your mouth. You know that it can freshen your breath, but can it help guard your smile from tooth decay?
It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum can be useful in removing bits of food from the surface of teeth, but that benefit is negated by the stream of sugar washing over your teeth as you chew.
However, gum with some alternative sweeteners has an added benefit for your pearly whites. Xylitol is a sweetener which not only has fewer calories than traditional sugars, but it also has antimicrobial properties that curtail plaque build-up. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes tooth decay.
So if you’re headed out to a restaurant, bring a pack of sugar-free gum with you and pop it in your mouth when your meal is done. Of course, brushing and flossing are the optimal practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, decide on a sugarless gum with xylitol.
At Aspen Ridge Dental in Casper we want all our patients to enjoy healthy teeth and gums. People from Riverton and Douglas come to us for family and restorative dentistry services, and much more. Please call our office to schedule an appointment today!
Contact Aspen Ridge Dental:
307-234-6054
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1122 S Conwell St
Casper, Wyoming
82601