You might not know it, but a simple stick of gum could be benefiting your mouth in more ways than one. However, you should also keep in mind that some chewing gums are better than others.
Chewing Gum to Avoid
It’s important that you avoid any chewing gum that contains sugar in it. Your favorite bubblegum could contain an alarming amount of sugar in it, which promotes tooth erosion and decay.
How to Spot the Hero!
So, how can you tell if a chewing gum is a good fit for your teeth?
Even if you select a piece of chewing gum that says it’s “sugar-free” on the label, it could contain acids that promote tooth decay. These gums could also contain preservatives or artificial sweeteners that could be doing more harm than good.
The easiest way to make sure that that chewing gum you’re selecting has the American Dental Association seal on it.
The main benefit of chewing gum is that it increases the amount of saliva in your mouth. Saliva contains minerals that help negate those harmful acids in your mouth, as well as washing out most of the food debris that could sit on your teeth. So, popping in that piece of chewing gum can get those juices flowing, increasing your chances of preventing tooth decay.
What Brands of Chewing Gum Are Best?
You should stick to gum that has the ADA Seal of Approval on it, which is usually displayed on the front of the package.
This seal means the chewing gum has undergone rigorous testing in order to ensure that it meets the ADA standards of oral health. Also, the ADA ensures that what the gum packaging claims is in fact what it does.
Aside from keeping to the claims, the chewing gum is safe for consumption, and all testing and clinical trials must be provided to earn the seal.
The following brands have the ADA seal on them (as of the date of the publication of this article):
- 5 Sugarfree Gum
- Bazooka Sugar-Free Bubble Gum (Original)
- Eclipse Sugarfree Gum
- Extra Sugarfree Gum
- Ice Breakers Ice Cubes Sugar-Free Chewing Gum
- Orbit Sugarfree Gum
- Trident Sugarfree Gum
Be sure that the chewing gum you select has the ADA seal on it, and avoid chewing gum that does not contain the seal.
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