Chewing This Gum May Help Prevent Cavities

“Get that gum out of your mouth, you look like a cow.”

It could be your teacher or your mother talking to you, and if you’re like most of us, the sound of that criticism is bound to echo in your head.

But if you had a time machine and could go back and talk to that authority figure now, you’d finally have a comeback. Seems gum can actually be good for you. At least the new kind being developed in Germany.

The gum will contain a new strain of something called lactobacillus, a bacteria normally found in milk or yogurt. It binds to the bacteria that normally sticks to your teeth after you’ve had something sweet, preventing you from getting cavities.

It’s the latest in a long line of products that seem to repel the microscopic bugs that lead to plaque and gum disease. Another is Xylitol, which has been around for decades. (For more on this substance, see below.)

But while mom never wanted you chewing gum, chances are she didn’t know about the sugarless variety that’s become amongst the best sellers. It turns out chomping down on the brands made without sugar stimulates your saliva and helps to wash away all that bacteria.

And while you may have heard those TV commercials about how dentists recommend it, they’re actually true.

“Chewing sugarless gum will reduce the risk of cavities,” advises Dr. Kenneth Montague. “It helps wash away food that accumulates on your teeth. An excellent after meal sort of substitute for dessert.”

So you can tell mom a thing or two the next time she starts in on you.

Still, she was right about one thing – chewing sugarless gum is no substitute for brushing properly and flossing every day.

It’s just not as bad as she once thought.

Other ways to keep your smile looking bright.

–Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride. If possible, brush after every meal, but be aware of your technique. Brushing too hard can erode your gums and cause you all kinds of other problems.

–Use floss to clean between your teeth at least once a day. Remember to use the floss first, then brush, otherwise you may be leaving the bacteria you just cleaned out right back on your teeth.

–Watch what you eat. Snacks like candy, chips and pretzels taste good but can remain on the tooth surface. Be especially aware of sticky foods and don’t wait too long to brush after eating them – the bacteria doesn’t.

–Make sure your water supply is fluoridated. A lot of critics still call it ‘rat poison’ but tests have shown it does help strengthen your teeth.

–See your dentist regularly. Yes, we’ve all heard the jokes about enjoying that as much as a root canal, but the truth is the more you see your dentist, the less likely you are to need one of those procedures.

 What about Xylitol?

It’s been used in foods for decades but is it really as effective as a toothbrush?

Dentists might argue with that conclusion, but gums containing the substance known as Xylitol do appear to actually help prevent cavities.

Here’s a primer on what it what it can – and can’t – do.

What is it?

It’s a naturally occurring sweetener found in a variety of different substances, including berries, mushrooms and vegetables. One of its most common sources is from birch bark. The substance has been around for more than a hundred years, but its cavity fighting properties were pioneered in Finland in the 1970s. All gum now sold in that country contains Xylitol.

How does it work?

Xylitol has a chemical structure that makes the bacteria that causes cavities unable to use it to form holes or plaque on your teeth. Normally when you eat foods containing sugar, these microscopic bugs use that sweetener to feed and multiply, creating an almost immediate field that promotes tooth decay. But while Xylitol is sweet tasting to you, it’s a bitter disappointment to the bugs that would leave your mouth exposed to the normal effects of sugar.

Some research suggests the additive may even help regenerate damage to your tooth enamel.

How much do you need?

Not a lot. There are indications that chewing as little as 3 pieces of gum containing Xylitol a day may be enough to help keep the dentist’s drill away. A lot depends on how much sugar-laden foods you eat and whether you brush after consuming them.

Are there any problems with it?

Xylitol is frequently used in candy made for diabetics and is deemed safe.

But there is one caveat in this cavity fighter.

Research indicates it can be lethal if ingested by dogs. So if you have family pets, make sure you never give them anything containing the alternate sweetener and keep all products that have Xylitol in them away from places where an inquiring nose can get access to it.