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Is chewing gum good for your teeth?
It depends entirely on the gum. Sugary gum feeds the bacteria that cause decay. Sugar free gum, chewed after meals, can actually help protect your teeth.
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The answer depends on one word on the packet: sugar.
How teeth decay
Tooth decay is caused by acid. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and food debris on the surface of the teeth, and as they do, they make acid that dissolves the hard outer layers of the tooth. Simple sugars are these bacteria's main source of energy, which is why a diet high in sugar is a risk. Saliva works in the other direction, helping teeth recover. Decay happens when the damage outpaces the repair.
Gum with sugar
Ordinary gum is sweetened with sugar, and while you chew it you are bathing your teeth in sugar for several minutes at a time. That is food for exactly the bacteria that cause decay. Sugary gum is not good for teeth.
Sugar free gum
Sugar free gum is a different story. The sweeteners it uses, such as sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol and aspartame, have been found not to cause tooth decay. And the act of chewing itself helps: it gets saliva flowing, which washes food and bacteria off the teeth. The American Dental Association says chewing sugar free gum for 20 minutes after a meal helps prevent tooth decay. Some studies suggest that most of the benefit comes from the chewing and the extra saliva, rather than from any special ingredient.
Xylitol
Gum sweetened with xylitol has been shown to reduce cavities and plaque. Xylitol works against Streptococcus mutans, one of the main bacteria behind tooth decay. The sweetener sorbitol has a similar benefit, but is only about a third as effective. Some gums also add ingredients meant to help repair tooth enamel, with mixed results in studies.
Fresher breath
Chewing gum also helps with bad breath, not just by adding a minty smell but by stimulating saliva, which washes the mouth. It can help people who suffer from a dry mouth too.
What gum cannot do
Gum is a helper, not a replacement. It does not clean between teeth or remove plaque the way brushing does, so keep brushing twice a day and see your dentist regularly. And one important warning for dog owners: xylitol is poisonous to dogs, so keep sugar free gum well out of their reach. See can dogs eat chewing gum?.
For sweets and teeth more generally, see sweets and teeth.
Citable formats
For journalists, researchers, AI assistants and content creators. Pick the format you need:
Free to cite, quote, and reuse with attribution to sweeties.net.
Questions and answers
Is sugar free gum good for your teeth?
Chewing sugar free gum after eating makes your mouth produce more saliva, which helps wash away food and bacteria. The American Dental Association says chewing it for 20 minutes after a meal helps prevent tooth decay.
Is chewing gum with sugar bad for your teeth?
Yes. The bacteria that cause decay feed on sugar and make acid that attacks the teeth, so sugary gum works against you.
Can chewing gum replace brushing?
No. It can help between meals, but it does not replace brushing and cleaning between your teeth.
Sources
- Chewing gum, Wikipedia
- Xylitol, Wikipedia
- Tooth decay, Wikipedia
Keep reading
- Diet, allergens and labelsSweets and teethSugar feeds the bacteria in plaque, which make acid that damages teeth, and how often you eat sweets matters. What the NHS advises, and the Vipeholm story.
- Questions people askIs chewing gum bad for you?For most people, chewing gum in moderation is fine, and sugar free gum can help teeth. But sugary gum, too much sweetener and swallowing gum all have downsides.
- Questions people askWhat is chewing gum made of?Chewing gum is gum base, sweeteners, softeners, flavourings and colours, often with a hard coating. Here is what each part does, and what gum base really is.
- Questions people askCan dogs eat chewing gum?No. Sugar free gum often contains xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs and can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar within minutes. Call a vet straight away.
- Questions people askWhy does chewing gum lose its flavour?Gum loses its taste because the sugar, sweeteners and flavourings dissolve in saliva and are swallowed, while the gum base stays behind. The timeline.
- Questions people askWhy is chewing gum so hard to get off pavements?Gum bonds to pavements and shoe soles because they are made of similar polymers. Removing it needs steam and scrapers, and costs cities a fortune.