Healthy Smile Series ~ Tooth Whitening Gum .. truth or hype ?

Who isn't looking for a brighter, whiter smile?

The Claim is that chewing a couple of pieces of gum after eating and drinking may help remove stains for a whiter smile.

The Truth is that gum will not brighten your teeth, but it may slow down the accumulation of stains or wash away stain-causing food particles. Some "whitening" gums contain ingredients like baking soda, a soft abrasive that polishes the teeth.

However, this is not how gum gets most of the job done, because it does not touch the outer parts of your teeth very much. Mostly the chewing surfaces, like your molars, are in contact with the gum.

ANY gum might prevent stains to a certain degree because chewing gum boosts your saliva flow. The saliva flow helps to clean food particles from your mouth and slow the accumulation of stains.

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A good option is a sugar-free gum, so you will not be trading whitening for tooth decay.

Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S. 

The Best option is a sugar-free gum sweetened with Xylitol. Xylitol is a natural substance that can be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables.  It can reduce tooth decay and cavities by as much as 70%.

All in all chewing gum can reduce some stain and keep your mouth healthy by increasing saliva flow. It can also freshen your breath, but it should never take the place of brushing and flossing your teeth. If a whiter, brighter smile is your goal contact our dental office. We can let you know which form of whitening is your best option.