Chewing gum has been a favorite practice among millions of people. Many people use it as a substitute for a food craving. One fact that refrained most people from consuming chewing gums was that they featured lots of sugar. However, with the ever-increasing awareness around the consumption of sweetened products, we now have a variety of sugar-free chewing gums available to health-conscious individuals.
It is imperative to note that chewing gum has been around for many years. In those ancient times, trees and other plant-based ingredients were used as gum to satisfy man’s natural instinct to chew. Over time, civilizations such as Aztecs, Mayans, and the ancient Greeks proceeded to develop chewing gums that were beneficial health-wise. It was during this period that chewing gums gained a reputation as an oral health aid.
Even back then, chewing gum was proven to be a highly effective teeth-cleaning and breath freshener tool. And these chewing gums featured antiseptic properties to ensure the mouth remained sanitized and clean.
Today, gum manufacturers have refined the ingredients of modern-day chewing gum, ensuring they feature ingredients that can help improve dental health. Chewing gum was first recognized for its clinically-backed benefits in 2007 when both the American Dental Association and Oral Health Foundation approved it. In this case, Wrigley’s Orbit Sugar-Free Chewing gum was the landmark product. Rigorous and thorough clinical evidence revealed that it had the potential to prevent cavities, strengthen teeth and minimize plaque buildup. This landmark study marked the end of the speculation about the potential benefits of sugarless chewing gum for dental health.
Since this period, numerous sugar-free chewing gums have received kite marks to certify their potential health benefits. Unfortunately, many people don’t know the potential benefits of chewing gums. The oral benefits of chewing sugar-free gum may be summarized below:
- Chewing on sugarless gum for twenty minutes after a meal may help neutralize the acids in your mouth.
- It helps boost your saliva production and can be highly beneficial if you struggle with a dry mouth.
- Sugar-free chewing usually features Xylitol, an ingredient that may help curb tooth decay by ensuring the plaque bacteria doesn’t stick to your teeth.
- It may also help remineralize your teeth and freshen your breath as well.
If you are knowing this important information for the first time, don’t worry because you are not alone. Research has shown that nearly 75% of people are not aware of the fact that sugar-free chewing gum boosts saliva production and minimizes tooth decay through its neutralization of unwanted plaque acids. What’s more, at least 60% of people aren’t sure whether sugar-free chewing gum can freshen breath.
Making that all-important switch to chewing sugar-free gum is an easy and straightforward task. They usually tend to feature relatively smaller packets, making them ideal for pockets as well as purses for on-the-go transportation.
As plaque continues to accumulate throughout the day, chewing sugarless gum may help give your mouth that extra boost it requires in between brushing. If you have any questions regarding sugarless chewing gum, or how it can potentially help enhance your dental health, don’t hesitate to consult your local dentist, hygienist, nurse, or even a therapist. They will provide you with everything you may want to know about sugar-free chewing gums.
If you are looking for a dentist, HPS Advanced Dental Care would love to see you. Dr. Heather is gladly accepting new patients.
We are located at 4741 24 Mile Rd. Shelby Township, MI 48316, and we can be reached at (248) 652-0024. We look forward to meeting you!
