05 Oct The Dental Benefits of Chewing Xylitol GumThe Dental Benefits of Chewing Xylitol Gum
So many dental products are currently being marketed as healthy and teeth-friendly. How do you know which products to use? Simply put, it’s best to consult our staff at Prescott Dentistry. But we can tell you about one compound that has been proven to be effective in helping your teeth: Xylitol. It’s been around for awhile, but many people are still unaware that the plant-based material behind this funny little word packs a powerful punch when it comes to helping your teeth. Read on to discover the dental benefits of chewing Xylitol gum.
What is Xylitol and Why is It Important?
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is becoming more popular as a sweetener for drinks, gums, and even some candies. It is considered to be a dentist-approved food that has many health benefits. Xylitol is entirely natural and safe for humans to consume. Be aware though, it’s not safe for pets—so you’ll want keep it away from you beloved dog or cat.
Why is Xylitol good for your teeth? Simply put, it kills bad bacteria and helps prevent bacterial buildup on your teeth (Xylitol.org, 2018).
If you’re looking to add it to your diet, try picking up an American Dental Association approved, sugar-free gum that uses Xylitol as a sweetener (California Dental Association, 2017). Chewing gum after meals aids in clearing debris from your teeth and produces saliva that helps wash the bacteria out of your mouth. So chewing Xylitol gum that helps to further annihilate that bad bacteria gives you the double impact of a second defense for your teeth. Gum is likely the easiest and healthiest way to add Xylitol to your teeth-cleaning routine. Sugar-free Xylitol gum is probably most readily available in the gum racks along the checkout line at your favorite grocery store.
The benefits of chewing Xylitol gum have been shown to be helpful in keeping your teeth healthy, but that doesn’t mean chewing Xylitol gum should take the place of a faithful brushing and flossing routine. But added to your regular dental hygiene care, Xylitol could be helpful in combating bad bacteria that leads to plaque. So keep up the good work: brush twice daily, floss once daily, schedule those biannual dental cleanings with our Prescott Dentistry office, and if you like, chew on a stick of Xylitol gum after meals.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (9/19/2018) Hernán Piñera (Flickr)