You may have heard that chewing gum is bad for your teeth, and then immediately see sugar-free gum marketed as beneficial for oral health. Our team at Kensington Dental Care wants you to understand the habits that affect your mouth and your jaw muscles.
Gum chewing is not inherently bad for your teeth, but the type of gum you choose and how often you chew it can impact your oral health.
The Simple Answer: It Depends on Your Gum Choice
Not all gum affects your teeth the same way. The ingredients in your gum matter because your mouth responds differently to non-sugar sweeteners like xylitol compared to regular sugar or corn syrup.
Sugar-Free Gum: The Tooth-Friendly Option
Sugar-free gum can support your oral health when used appropriately.
Increased Saliva Production
Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates your salivary glands to produce more saliva. This natural response helps protect your teeth by washing away food particles, strengthening tooth enamel naturally, and buffering harmful acids.
Xylitol: The Protective Ingredient
Xylitol is a non-sugar sweetener that actively fights cavity-causing bacteria. Unlike regular sugar, bacteria cannot use xylitol as fuel for acid production. This means the harmful bacteria in your mouth are reduced when you regularly consume xylitol.
Sugary Gum: The Cavity Creator
Regular gum containing sugar creates the ideal environment for tooth decay.
Feeds Harmful Bacteria
The sugar in regular gum provides fuel for bacteria that cause cavities. These bacteria multiply rapidly when you give them a steady sugar supply through frequent gum chewing.
Increases Acid Attacks
When bacteria consume sugar from your gum, they produce lactic acid as waste. This acid continues to attack your tooth enamel even after you finish chewing. Frequent sugary gum chewing exposes your teeth to acid throughout the day, which can worsen plaque buildup.
When Gum Chewing Becomes Problematic
Even sugar-free gum can cause problems when you overdo it or have certain oral health conditions. Your jaw joints and muscles are not designed for constant chewing motion.
TMJ & Jaw Problems
Excessive gum chewing can strain your temporomandibular joint (the joint that allows your mouth to open and close) and surrounding muscles. If you already have TMJ symptoms, frequent gum chewing can worsen your condition and increase discomfort, even leading to headaches in some people.
Digestive Issues from Artificial Sweeteners
Sugar alcohols like sorbitol and mannitol can cause digestive upset when consumed in large amounts. Too much sugar-free gum can lead to stomach cramps, bloating, and diarrhea.
Dental Work Complications
Sticky gum can damage crowns, fillings, and orthodontic appliances. The pulling force from gum removal can loosen existing dental work or bend orthodontic wires.
Smart Gum Chewing Guidelines
You can enjoy the benefits of gum chewing while avoiding potential problems by following some simple guidelines. Choose sugar-free gum and look for varieties containing xylitol as the primary sweetener. Chew sugar-free gum for 10–15 minutes after meals to clear food particles. Avoid chewing gum immediately before bedtime, as this can overstimulate your jaw muscles.
Maintain Your Smile with Our Team
Dr. Geoff Van Blaricom and the entire team at Kensington Dental Care focus on helping you maintain your natural teeth through preventive care and education. They understand that small daily choices, like your gum selection, can impact your long-term oral health. Schedule an appointment to discuss how your daily habits affect your smile’s health.
