When checking out at a grocery store or pharmacy, it is almost certain you will find a rack of chewing gum and mints. Americans love keeping their breath fresh with either gum or mints, eating approximately 2 pounds of it every year. Most people assume that gum and mints are full of sugar and can be damaging to your teeth so how can chewing gum or eating mints be help keep them strong? The answer might surprise you.
Chewing gum and eating mints actually helps create saliva in your mouth, which naturally helps to neutralize and naturally rinse away the acids in your mouth when breaking down foods. Chewing gum after you eat could help protect your teeth and help keep your entire mouth clean. By chewing gum, you are also removing food particles left over from eating, which helps continue to clean the surfaces of your teeth.
Not all gum and mints are “healthy” for your teeth, however. It is best to avoid sugary gum, like bubble gum, as these sweet, sour, sugary gums are actually damaging to your teeth. Instead, look for sugar-free gums that have been approved by the American Dental Association. Any chewing gum with an ADA seal of approval on their packaging is okay for chewing!
You will also want to look for gums and mints containing a sugar replacement called Xylitol. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that has been proven to lower the amount of cavity-causing bacteria residing in your mouth. Unlike sugar, Xylitol does not feed these bacterial organisms in your mouth, making your teeth safer from infection.
Gums and mints with phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (aka CPP-ACP or Recaldent) can actually help harden tooth enamel, making your teeth stronger and less prone to tooth decay.
Best Chewing Gum or Mint for Healthy Teeth
