If you like to chew gum, there is a way to do so while also protecting your pearly whites. Dental gum is a chewing gum that has properties that fight tooth decay, allowing you to obtain healthier teeth and gums as you chew. Additionally, dental gum does not contain preservatives, which generally cause cavities. By increasing your saliva as you chew, dental gum also decreases the harmful acids that cause cavities to form. Some dental gums contain natural ingredients that whiten your teeth as you chew, so you have the extra benefit of keeping your mouth bacteria-free and your breath fresh while diminishing stains.
What to Look for
A good dental gum will not contain ingredients that can be harmful to the teeth and gums, such as aspartame, sucrolose or saccharine. You will also not find any refined carbohydrates, such as sugar or high fructose corn syrup, or any artificial colors in a good dental gum. Dental gum should be made with xylitol, a form of sugar with a low glycemic index. Xylitol comes from sugar alcohol found in the pulp of trees, and is a substance that tastes sweet, but does not cause tooth decay. Dental gum can also be made with maltitol, a similar substance. Another ingredient you may find in good dental gum is peelu, a non-abrasive and soft plant fiber that cleans and brightens the teeth. Soy lecithin, beeswax and green tea are other common ingredients in dental gum. Green tea is an excellent ingredient as it inhibits oral bacteria and excess build up of plaque. Dental gum containing propolis, an anti fungal ingredient, is ideal for gum chewers who wear dentures. Tea tree oil is another excellent choice, as it is an anti-inflammatory. Dental gum comes in a wide range of delicious flavors, including spearmint, cinnamon and peppermint.
Common Pitfalls
Dental gum is more expensive than normal gum, as the cost of extracting xylitol from tree pulp is high. It is much cheaper to put corn syrup or chemical sweeteners in gum. Avoid gum that contains sorbitol, since it increases acids in the mouth that attack the enamel on your teeth. Remember that chewing dental gum does not take the place of brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly after meals.
Member Comments