So to start with, what exactly is sugar free gum? Well, it’s essentially a chewing gum with no sugar added. The sweet taste is achieved using a sweetener such as Xylitol (pronounced Zahlitol). This is a natural occurring product found in fruit and vegetables.
If you’re out and about and aren’t able to brush your teeth, chewing sugar-free gum for up to 20 minutes after eating or drinking will stimulate the production of saliva – the mouth’s defence against acid attack.
We recommend that gum is not given to children under the age of 6 due to risk of choking, and it isn’t so good for those who wear braces.
We often recommend sugar free gum if you have problems with dry mouth (often due to medication, but there are many other reasons) to help stimulate more saliva production, which in turn helps keep your mouth healthy.
Sugar-free gum is almost always the default gum you will see nowadays, but it’s important to check the ingredients if you are trying a new gum for the first time.
It’s important to remember that regular brushing (at least twice a day) using a fluoride toothpaste, combined with the use of an inter-dental brush are still key to healthy teeth and gums and that sugar-free gum should only be used in support of this regime.
Mike
