Hello gum chewers! In this post from Almeida & Bell General, Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry in Lone Tree we’re going to talk about that sticky wad in your mouth. You know that it can freshen your breath, but can it really help guard your smile from tooth decay?
It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum can be helpful in removing bits of food from the surface of teeth, but that benefit is negated by the stream of sugar washing over your teeth as you chew.
However, gum with some alternative sweeteners has an added benefit for your pearly whites. Xylitol is a sweetener which not only has fewer calories than traditional sugars, but it also has antimicrobial properties that lessen plaque build-up. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes decay.
So if you’re headed out to a restaurant, bring a pack of sugar-free gum with you and pop it in your mouth when your meal is done. Of course, brushing and flossing are the ideal practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, select a sugarless gum with xylitol.
At Almeida & Bell General, Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry in Lone Tree we offer complete general dentistry. Patients from Highlands Ranch, Denver, and Littleton also come to our office for cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Call to schedule your next checkup with us today!
Contact Almeida & Bell General, Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry:
303-858-9000
Locations (Tap to open in Google Maps):
Almeida & Bell Dental – Lone Tree
8683 E Lincoln Ave Ste 200
Lone Tree, Colorado
80124
Almeida & Bell Dental – Denver
9126 57th Ave.
Denver, Colorado
80238
