Sugar is harmful to teeth because sugar feeds the “bad” bacteria which helps plaque to form in the mouth. Photo credit: NeydtStock / Shutterstock Why is xylitol better than sugar?
Another study also suggests that xylitol may increase absorption of calcium into your digestive system, which means it could help to strengthen teeth. In fact, in one particular study xylitol-sweetened chewing gum reduced levels of bad bacteria in the mouth by 27 to 75%, while good bacteria levels remained constant. As a result, this can prevent dental cavities from forming, as well as any nasty inflammatory gum diseases. However, chewing gum with xylitol can prevent this from happening thanks to the ingredient essentially starving the harmful bacteria in your mouth, thus reducing plaque build-up and tooth decay. Well, our mouths produce bacteria and plaque each and every day – and this is normal – but too much “bad” bacteria in the mouth can result in excess plaque forming, which is the most common reason for tooth decay. Chewing xylitol gum also can increase saliva production, which further aids the fight against tooth decay and gum disease by washing away any plaque bacteria and restoring a healthy pH in the mouth. But it is most commonly found in sugar-free chewing gums, sweets, mints and oral-care products, which is why it is recommended by dentists.ĭentists recommend using xylitol-sweetened chewing gum as countless studies have confirmed that xylitol boosts dental health and helps to prevent tooth decay.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener, often found in many fruits and vegetables and can even be produced by humans in small qualities via a normal metabolism. It has been clinically proven to help protect teeth, but what exactly is it and what are the dental benefits of xylitol? What is Xylitol? But one way to prevent tooth decay is through using a natural compound know as xylitol, rather than artificial sweeteners and sugars. She was also a contributor for Virginia Reports where she reported on the impact that COVID-19 had on college students.Everyone knows that tooth decay occurs when bacteria in your mouth consumes the sugars we have eaten, resulting in tooth aches and possible fillings. She’s a reporter for The Breeze in the culture section and writes features on Harrisonburg artists, album reviews, and topics related to mental health and the environment. She is a senior at James Madison University studying Media, Art, and Design, with a concentration in journalism. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly alternatives for gum-lovers who don’t want to chew on plastic.īrands like Simply Gum, The Humble Co., both of which also have plastic-free packaging, and Glee Gum are plastic-free, environmentally friendly alternatives for gum-chewers to try.Īudrey Nakagawa is the content creator intern at EcoWatch. Later, in the aftermath of World War II, chemists developed synthetic rubber, replacing natural rubber which was previously the base for chewing gum, according to The Ecologist.Īround 374 billion pieces of gum are produced each year, a market worth $5 billion. The ancient Greeks chewed on resin from the mastic tree, called mastiche. People have been enjoying the oral fixation of gum for centuries. Littered gum became such a problem in Singapore, that in 1992, they banned chewing gum, according to BBC. The small stains left from gum that used to be stuck to the sidewalk contain microplastics, that can then end up in drains that filter into the ocean according to a report from Metro. Unsurprisingly, the plastic in gum can have a negative impact on the environment. Most supermarket gum’s gum base is a mix of plastic and different chemicals, including polyethylene, which can be found in plastic bags and bottles, according to .Īccording to an Iceland-commissioned study, 85% of people didn’t know there was plastic in gum. An ingredient listed as “gum base” in many gum formulas is plastic, and it’s the aspect of the gum that gives it its chewiness. The short answer is yes, there is plastic in gum. However, not many seem to have asked the question, am I chewing on plastic when I chew my gum? Consumers probably know that the sticky, breath-freshening substance is often made with artificial flavors and color. But, what many people, fully grown or not, fail to consider is, what is gum made of? Although technically not ingested, gum is still edible. To many middle school students, gum is a hot commodity.