Chewing dental gum promotes oral hygiene: Right or Wrong?

Brushing your teeth after a meal. This is sometimes easier said than done, because during the day we are usually on the go and can't just go to the bathroom to brush our teeth carefully. What to do in such a case? Simply ignore the basic rule of oral hygiene?

If we believe the advertising promises of the manufacturers of dental care chewing gum, we don't necessarily need a toothbrush after eating, because a dental care chewing gum can replace brushing. Is that right?

Yes and no!

Chewing gum is indeed good for gums and teeth, but it cannot replace cleaning teeth and interdental spaces with a toothbrush and floss.

Chewing gum mechanically cleans only the chewing surfaces, and only rudimentarily at that; it does not reach the front and back of the teeth or the spaces between the teeth at all. So if you have to choose between a toothbrush and chewing gum after a meal, it is better to prefer the toothbrush because it cleans the teeth more efficiently.

By chewing a gum, mainly a passive cleaning takes place due to an increased saliva production. On the one hand, the saliva helps to rinse food residues from the teeth and, on the other hand, it can neutralize some of the acids that form in the mouth during the breakdown of food and also rinse them away.

What ingredients belong in a dental care chewing gum

If you want to achieve a positive effect for oral hygiene by chewing gum, you should definitely make sure that the gum is sugar-free. You don't have to do without sweetness for this, because sugar alcohols and sweeteners give the chewing gum the desired sweetness. Xylitol is particularly popular in dental care chewing gum because of its caries-inhibiting effect.

Studies show that around six grams of xylitol per day can ensure a mouth low in bacteria, because harmful bacteria are less able to multiply. Another practical aspect is that the bacteria in the mouth have difficulty breaking down xylitol, so the positive effect lasts for a long time.

Other recommended ingredients for dental care chewing gums are calcium and fluoride. Like fluoride, calcium supports the remineralization of teeth. The enamel is hardened in the process and is better protected against caries and other dental diseases.

Dental chewing gum against bad breath and other positive effects

After eating, various acids in the mouth take over the decomposition of food. These include sulfuric acids, which can cause unpleasant bad breath after eating. A dental care chewing gum can help here, because the saliva produced prevents the bacteria from multiplying too much with its slightly disinfecting effect. Since the decomposition of food begins immediately after eating, it is recommended to chew a gum for about 15 to 20 minutes immediately after eating.

A dental care chewing gum can positively complement oral hygiene. In addition, chewing gum can be good for you for other reasons as well:

Chewing stimulates metabolism and can help with weight loss.

The chewing movements promote blood flow to the brain and make you more efficient.

They promote the activity of your intestines.

You relieve stress by using your jaw muscles. However, be careful not to overuse the jaw muscles and joints. This will be noticeable by cracking in the jaw when you chew.