Dental Studies Say Chewing Gum Is Good For Our Teeth!

Is chewing gum for us? According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it's better to chew on sugar-free gum as it can reduce tooth decay! The ADA claims that there are some researches backing their claim; one such study showed that 20 minutes of chewing gum after meals can prevent tooth decay.

How is it possible for sugar-free gum to do this?

It seems that chewing gum increases the flow of saliva into the mouth. This neutralises and dilutes the acid that swills around after the breakdown of food by bacteria that normally live around your teeth and gums. These acids typically stick around in the mouth for 20 minutes after eating. During this time, they dissolve carbonated hydroxyapatite, which is the main ingredient of tooth enamel. This mineral loss can be counteracted by saliva.

So, sugar-free gum, by encouraging saliva production after meals, helps prevent tooth erosion!