Yes! If the gum is sweetened with xylitol, it can.
What exactly is xylitol?
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol comparable to sorbitol and mannitol, sugar substitutes found in a variety of low-calorie meals. Many fruits and vegetables naturally contain xylitol, which may also be produced from birch tree bark, coconut shells, and cottonseed hulls. It has the appearance and taste of sugar and is a diabetic-friendly, low-calorie carbohydrate.
How does xylitol stop cavity formation?
Decay begins when bacteria break down sucrose (table sugar) and release acids that destroy the minerals in the enamel, your teeth’s outer protective coating. When decay-causing bacteria try to eat xylitol, they can’t break it down, so they starve.
A healthy mouth has a vast population of bacteria, and it’s healthier for your teeth if you have more “good” bacteria that don’t create cavities. Xylitol also prevents your saliva from turning acidic, creating a better habitat for “healthy” bacteria in your mouth.
Chewing xylitol gum also boosts saliva production. Saliva includes calcium and fluoride, which helps restore these minerals to your teeth (re-mineralization), erasing part of the cavity-causing bacteria’s effects. Chewing xylitol gum is a particularly suitable remedy for those who suffer from dry mouth as a result of this.
How much xylitol do you need to prevent cavities?
If you are at moderate to high risk for cavities, chew or suck on two pieces of xylitol gum or two pieces of xylitol candy for five minutes after meals or snacks, four times a day. The recommended daily intake of xylitol is 6 to 10 grams (one or two teaspoons). Because chewing gum for an extended period of time is not recommended, most xylitol-sweetened products have a taste that only lasts a few seconds to deter excessive chewing. The only possible adverse effect of consuming too much xylitol is a slight laxative impact.
I don’t like chewing gum. Is there another way to get xylitol?
If you don’t want to chew gum, xylitol may be found in mints, sweets, mouthwash, toothpaste, and mouth sprays. A minimum dosage of 5 to 6 grams (one teaspoon) three times per day is recommended for these people.
So, in addition to daily brushing and flossing, frequent professional cleanings, and consuming xylitol gum, you may now add xylitol to your cavity-fighting arsenal.