Chewing gum has been a controversial topic for decades, with some people considering its benefits, while others point to potential oral health negatives.
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Chewing gum has been a controversial topic for decades, with some people considering its benefits, while others point to potential oral health negatives.Chewing gum (especially sugar-free types) helps to produce saliva. A mouth with very little saliva would be at risk for tooth decay. This is simply because our saliva is key to neutralising acids and strengthening the enamel, which sits on the outermost layer of your teeth.Read on to find out more about the role of sugar-free chewing gum and its effects on your teeth.
Many like myself may think that sugar-free chewing gum only serves to freshen your breath, but it can actually be your best friend in working towards proper oral hygiene.Unlike sugary chewing gum, which is like a buffet for bacteria to grow, sugar-free chewing gum does not contribute to plaque buildup. It plays an active role in neutralising acids in the mouth that help minimise the risk of teeth cavities and keep a more balanced pH or environment in your mouth.In addition, it encourages the production of saliva which contains important minerals like calcium and phosphate. These help strengthen your teeth through a natural process called enamel remineralisation. This process restores minerals to your tooth enamel, repairing small tooth damage and protecting against cavities. Here’s a tip: Opt for sugar-free gum infused with xylitol (top choice), a natural sweetener that has been shown to slow down the growth of bacteria. A person who routinely chews xylitol gum post-snacks or post-meals not only alleviates bad breath but also proves fruitful in preventing teeth cavities while helping you retain a balanced oral environment in your mouth.
While chewing gum has clear oral health benefits, it cannot substitute regular oral care routines. Here's why:
Brushing
Brushing helps remove plaque and food debris from the surfaces of your teeth, but it can’t clean every area—especially between teeth or below the gumline.
Flossing
Flossing reaches between teeth and below the gumline to remove plaque and debris where your toothbrush can’t reach—but it still doesn’t cover everything.
Chewing Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, helps neutralise acids, and freshens breath—especially useful after meals when brushing isn't an option.
Key takeaway:
Chewing gum is a great addition to your oral care routine—but it should complement brushing and flossing, not replace them.
When selecting chewing gum for oral health, it’s essential to choose options designed to support dental hygiene rather than contribute to potential issues. Here’s what you need to know to make informed decisions:
Natural sweeteners
Gums made with xylitol, sorbitol, or erythritol reduce cavity risks without feeding harmful bacteria—making them a healthier alternative to sugary options.
Neutralise pH
Look for gum that helps maintain oral pH levels, reducing acid attacks on your enamel and helping to prevent tooth decay while supporting overall oral health.
Calcium or phosphate-enriched gum
These gums help strengthen enamel and are ideal for anyone with weak enamel or early signs of tooth decay.
Non-sticky options
Gum that doesn’t stick to your teeth reduces the risk of damaging crowns, bridges, or other dental work—perfect for those with dental restorations or braces.
Soothing agents for sensitive teeth
Specially formulated gums can help soothe sensitive teeth and gums—great for people with heightened oral sensitivity.
Sugar-free options for kids
Sugar-free gums made for children help protect their teeth from decay while making oral care fun and easy to stick with.
Moisturising agents for dry mouth
Gums that contain moisturising ingredients like glycerin help relieve dry mouth and discomfort—ideal for anyone managing dry mouth conditions.
Orbit® Sugarfree
Orbit is a sugar-free gum available in multiple flavours. It promotes saliva production and contains xylitol. ADA-approved* in some regions, it helps reduce cavities, freshens breath, and neutralises acids effectively.
Dentyne Ice™
Dentyne Ice is a sugar-free gum with intense cooling flavours, designed to freshen breath quickly. It’s ideal for combating bad breath after meals or when you’re on the go, thanks to its long-lasting flavour.
Eclipse®
Eclipse offers sugar-free gum with strong mint flavours and comes in a gum or mint hybrid form. It’s perfect for instant breath freshening, with compact packaging that makes it easy to carry anywhere.
Extra®
Extra is a sugar-free gum that contains xylitol and comes in a wide variety of flavours. It promotes saliva production, supports oral health, and is ADA-approved*. It’s great for cavity prevention and versatile for different flavour preferences.
Trident®
Trident is a sugar-free gum that contains xylitol and supports saliva flow. Available in a range of fruit and mint flavours, it’s ADA-approved*, affordable, widely available, and effective for cavity prevention and freshening breath.
Sticky gums can attach themselves to dental implants and dentures and push the appliances out of place.When shopping for a pack of chewing gum, we do not recommend choosing the hard and sticky varieties. Instead, choose non-sticky, sugar-free chewing gum specifically formulated for dental appliance users. These kinds of gums are not as abrasive and they offer similar oral health advantages by preventing dental cavities.But before adding chewing gum to your everyday life, it’s always advisable to seek your dentist’s guidance. They can suggest the best fit for your needs, considering your particular dental appliances and oral health requirements before purchasing the product to assure optimal dental care and efficacy.
While chewing gum does have various oral health benefits, it can turn into drawbacks if used incorrectly. For one, it can strain the jaw. This is when over-chewing begins to create jaw pain or discomfort, and can even lead to a condition called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. This occurs when the muscles and joints that control jaw movement are overworked or out of place from the routine chewing of gum.Another concern is the impact it has on dental restorations. Sticky gums in particular can ruin crowns, bridges, fillings or other dental work. The gum can also stick to these restorations and even loosen or damage them.To avoid these issues, it is advisable to chew less sticky gum in moderation.
When done properly, chewing gum can play a beneficial role in the care of your oral health. It produces saliva, neutralises acids and helps prevent tooth decay.To get the most benefit, choose sugar-free gums (particularly xylitol-based) and aim to chew for 10–20 minutes after eating, as this assists in reducing acid levels in your mouth. And be careful not to chew too much, as that can put a strain on your jaw.If you’re looking for more ways to care for your smile, visit Smile Place for expert dental advice and tailored solutions to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
Is chewing gum bad for my teeth?Not always as it depends on what kind of chewing gum you are using. We recommend choosing sugar-free chewing gums, which not only stimulate saliva but also neutralise acids and strengthen your enamel (the outer layer of your teeth).Can I chew gum if I have dental implants or dentures?You can still chew gum if you’re currently on dental appliances. But consider opting for sugar-free, non-stick chewing gum, so you can avoid damaging your dental appliances.Does chewing gum replace brushing my teeth?Chewing gum complements brushing and flossing but doesn’t replace them entirely. This is because chewing gums are not effective in removing plaque build-ups entirely as compared to brushing and flossing.How do I know if the gum I choose is good for my teeth?If you’re in Australia, look for sugar-free varieties including xylitol or the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Approval, meaning they meet oral health standards.Can chewing gum help with bad breath?Sugar-free chewing gum, particularly with xylitol, can temporarily freshen your breath.
Dr Arathy Rao has over a decade of experience with a range of skills and knowledge in all aspects of dentistry.
