Gum Chewing: Helpful or Harmful?

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, wants you to know that when it comes to chewing gum, it’s the type of gum you chew that makes a difference in whether it’s helpful or harmful to your teeth. 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.

For most people, chewing sugar-free gum (especially gum sweetened with xylitol) can be a good preventive measure in situations when tooth brushing and flossing aren’t practical. It’s important to remember that sugar free or not, chewing gum should never replace good dental hygiene practices. Next time you are walking through the sweets aisle, look for chewing gum with the ADA Seal because you can be sure it’s sugarless. All gums with the ADA Seal are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol.

If you have questions about dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.