The Hidden Powers of Gum

Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.

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.

Our friends at Mouth Healthy, brought to you by the ADA (American Dental Association), remind us that the only varieties of gum with the ADA Seal are sugarless. They are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol. Check out these great quiz questions to find out what rumors are FACT or FICTION!

Chewing sugarless gum helps prevent cavities:

FACT: Good news! Research shows that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay. That's because the act of chewing increases the flow of saliva in your mouth, which helps neutralize and wash away cavity-causing acids and bacteria. Over time, acids can wear away tooth enamel, creating ideal conditions for decay. Look for chewing gum with the ADA Seal to be sure it can help prevent cavities.

Chewing sugarless gum can help prevent heartburn:

FACT: Research shows that chewing gum can help lessen the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, better known to most people as GERD or heartburn. That's because chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which is an acid buffer. Chewing gum also makes you swallow more often, which pushes acids back out of your esophagus. So next time you're worried about heartburn, try chewing some sugarless gum after you eat.

Since chewing produces saliva, all chewing gum must be good for me:

FICTION: It's true that chewing gum for 20 minutes after meals helps reduce your risk for tooth decay but that's only if it's the sugarless variety. Chewing gum with sugar also increases saliva, but beware – the sugar also increases the opportunity for decay. Look for chewing gum with the ADA Seal to be sure it can help prevent cavities.

The American Dental Association has awarded the ADA Seal to sugarless chewing gum:

FACT: It's true, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs awarded the Seal to several gums after finding that the physical action of chewing certain sugarless gums for 20 minutes after eating, stimulates saliva flow, which helps to prevent cavities by reducing acids and making teeth more resistant to decay.

Chewing sugarless gum after a meal means I don't have to brush and floss, right:

FICTION: 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.