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Chewing Gum

Xylitol Gum

By Brianne Jones, RDH

Can Chewing Gum Fight Cavities?!
YES!!!

 

The chewing of sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel. Therefore, gum containing the ingredient Xylitol (like Trident) can help keep teeth clean and fight cavities! Xylitol is the ingredient that helps increase saliva production, which in turn helps wash away sugar bugs. 

Don't let chewing sugarless gum replace brushing and flossing. It's not a substitute. The ADA still recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or other interdental cleaners.

Look for chewing gum that carries the ADA Seal. The ADA Seal is your assurance that the sugar-free chewing gum has met the ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. You can trust that claims made on packaging and labeling for ADA-accepted products are true, because companies must verify all of the information to the ADA. Products with the ADA Seal say what they do and do what they say.