— Gum can actually help your teeth, so long as it fulfills two specific conditions! —
One: the gum must be sugar-free. Sugar feeds the harmful bacteria in your mouth and helps give it the energy to reproduce and break down your teeth. Sugary hard candies that one has in their mouth for long periods, like suckers and gum with sugar, provide bacteria with a good supply of sugar in a relatively short time, and this sugar simply sits in your mouth instead of being quickly chewed and swallowed.
Two: it should contain xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar substitute and one of few substances that promote teeth health. The other big one you’ve probably heard of is fluoride (fluoride is in the water supply of most of America’s largest cities and is put in the most-often-recommended toothpastes and mouthwashes). Peer-reviewed studies have found xylitol makes it harder for certain bacteria in your mouth to get energy and cling to your teeth.
In addition, the act of chewing gum also promotes saliva production, and more saliva is a good thing (so long as you’re not drooling on yourself). Saliva washes away the bacteria from your teeth.
The next time you go for some chewing gum, make sure it’s sugar-free (it should have the ADA seal) and contains xylitol!
