Have you found yourself feeling unsure about what to do when someone offers you a piece of gum? Perhaps there was a time when you threw a pack of gum in with the rest of your groceries during each trip to the store but those happy moments seem like a distant memory. Don’t worry, your love for chewing gum is not necessarily something you need to say goodbye to. It’s simply important that you understand the details regarding how to chew while keeping your oral health safe. Learn more, the facts may surprise you!

Sometimes It’s Bad

Deciding to indulge in chewing gum or bubble gum is a bad idea when the ingredients include sugar. There’s no way around this one. Even if you plan on rinsing and brushing your teeth afterwards, exposing your teeth to sugar in this fashion and for an extended period of time is simply bad for your oral health.

Sometimes It’s Extremely Good

Now, let’s say you are perfectly happy to select a gum that is made without the use of sugar. Instead, it contains another sweetener. If it’s sugarless, it may have the ability to keep your oral health safe. How? It helps clean your teeth, especially when you aren’t anywhere near your usual dental hygiene products.

20 Minutes Is Ideal

If you do decide to chew sugarless gum, you’ll be getting the most benefit from your choice if you chew after meals for around 20 minutes. The chewing causes your saliva to flow, which is an essential part of cleaning bacteria from your oral tissues. Then, of course, there’s the little detail of the gum physically sticking to plaque and debris and removing it from your smile. (Note: Choose gum sweetened with a natural sweetener called xylitol for additional protection against decay).