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Good news for people whose kids love to chew gum! As long as it’s sugarless, chewing gum is actually good for your teeth.
Why? Because it helps promote saliva flow. Saliva is the mouth’s major defense against tooth decay, sweeping away sugars and bacteria, neutralizing plaque acids that weaken tooth enamel, and even strengthening teeth! Too little salvia can cause accelerated tooth decay, gum disease, oral sores and pain, bad breath and even interfere with your ability to taste.
Your body needs to produce two-to-four pints of salvia each day to help your mouth stay healthy as well as support good digestion. You can find out more about the amazing powers of chewing gum by taking the American Dental Association’s (ADA) quiz.
But do check with your child’s own dentist before giving them chewing gum, especially if they have had dental work that could be damaged by gum. While chewing gum is generally fine, your dentist knows your child’s specific needs.
What should I do if my child swallows gum?
First, don’t panic. While it’s true that the human digestive system cannot process gum, it typically moves through the small intestine and out of your child’s body. And it happens pretty quicky, contrary to those rumors about the process taking seven years!
That said, there have been very rare instances where swallowed gum caused intestinal blockages in young children. This happened due to a combination of large amounts of swallowed gum combined with constipation. So, if your child swallows the occasional piece of gum, they are likely to be okay.
There’s no hard and fast rule about when it’s safe to give kids chewing gum. To avoid any potential problems, don’t give gum to young kids who likely will not understand that they shouldn’t swallow it.
Which chewing gum is best for kids’ teeth?
The ADA has made it super easy to figure out which gums are good to chew, and which ones can damage your teeth. Just look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the package. The seal signifies that this particular chewing gum has demonstrated that it can help protect the teeth.
As you no doubt guessed, sugar-free gum is always your best choice. But gums with the ADA seal typically also contain ingredients that can reduce plaque, strengthen tooth enamel, and battle cavities. These include:
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Xylitol – a natural sweetener, also helps to reduce cavity-causing bacteria
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Recaldent® – repairs and strengthens dental enamel previously damaged by bacteria
The ADA encourages people to chew sugar-free gum after meals if they can’t brush and floss, or rinse. Yes, gum is a treat that is actually good for your teeth.
Children’s dental care
Obviously, though, simply chewing gum does not replace a child’s dental care routine. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or another type of interdental cleaner.
To maintain optimal oral health your child also needs to visit their dentist for a cleaning and checkup, typically twice a year (follow your dentists’ advice on how often to schedule your visits).
All of the above goes for adults as well.
And when it comes to cost, you don’t have to break the bank to keep your family’s smiles healthy. A dental savings plan (an affordable alternative to traditional dental insurance) can reduce the cost of most dental procedures. Plan members report saving an average of 50%* on their dental care. And with more than 140,000 dentists and specialists nationwide, including pediatric dentists, it is easy to save on dental care (and even braces) for the whole family. Many plans also include savings on hearing, vision, telehealth and more. Want a quick peek at what you can save? Use our calculator below today.
*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.