Chewing gum is a treat that many kids can’t resist. It’s sweet, chewy, and satisfying to pop. But as much as kids love it, the question remains: is chewing gum actually good for their oral health? While it might seem like a harmless habit, there’s more to it than just the fun factor.
In fact, while chewing gum can offer some surprising benefits for oral hygiene, it also comes with a few potential downsides that parents should be aware of.
So, before you toss that pack of gum into the cart, let’s take a closer look at how chewing gum affects your child’s teeth and overall dental health.
The Goods
It Helps Increase Saliva
Chewing gum stimulates the salivary glands, which is great for your child’s teeth. More saliva means more natural cleaning power.
It helps wash away food particles, neutralize acids, and even strengthen enamel with important minerals like calcium and phosphate. This can help lower the risk of cavities and other dental problems.
It Can Freshen Breath
Nobody likes bad breath, and kids aren’t immune to it either. It can make them feel self-conscious, especially around their friends.
Chewing gum is a quick and easy fix when they can’t brush their teeth right away. Just a piece of gum can help temporarily mask odors and make their mouth feel fresher.
Read more: What to Do If Your Child Has Bad Breath
It May Help Prevent Cavities
Choosing chewing gum with xylitol can provide an extra layer of protection for your child’s teeth. Unlike regular sugar, which feeds cavity-causing bacteria, xylitol is a natural sweetener that makes it harder for harmful bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, to stick to the teeth.
With fewer bacteria in the mouth, the chances of cavities forming decrease significantly.
The Bads
Many Chewing Gum Brands Still Contain Sugar
The most obvious reason for being selective with what you chew: stay away from cavity-causing sugary chewing gums.
These can be even worse than candies because chewing gum stays in your mouth longer, extending your mouth’s exposure to sugar.
It Has a Sticky Texture
Gum is naturally sticky, and sticky foods tend to cling to teeth longer than they should. This can make it harder to wash away, especially with gums that contain sugar.
The longer it stays on the tooth’s surface, the more time bacteria have to feed on it, which can lead to cavities. Even sugar-free gum isn’t completely off the hook since its stickiness can still trap food particles.
It Can Stress the TMJ
Chewing gum too often can stress your child’s jaw joints (TMJ). If your child already has TMJ disorders, frequent gum chewing could make the condition worse and lead to increased discomfort and even pain.
It Can Be a Choking Hazard
Unlike regular food, gum doesn’t get swallowed, so it can be a choking risk, especially for younger kids. Make sure your child is old enough before giving them gum. Even then, they shouldn’t be running, playing sports, or lying down while chewing. Always remind them to chew safely.
Chewing gum does have some benefits for oral health, but overall, we’re not huge fans of it for kids because of the downsides. That doesn’t mean it has to be completely off-limits. Your child can still enjoy gum in moderation, as long as they’re being supervised and choosing the right kind.
Opt for sugar-free options, such as those with xylitol. They are a much better choice since they don’t feed cavity-causing bacteria the way regular gum does.
We hope this information above helps you understand the goods and bads of chewing gum for children. Our Lafayette pediatric dental team is always happy to provide helpful advice and quality care for families in Lafayette, Broussard, Carencro, Youngsville, Breaux Bridge, and nearby areas.
If you have any questions about the services we provide or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to give us a call. We’re here to help with your child’s dental care needs.