Categories: Children's Dentist

Is Chewing Gum Good or Bad for Children’s Teeth?

The question has flustered parents, teachers, and children alike for ages—is chewing gum good or bad for a child’s dental health? The habit can undoubtedly be annoying for adults chaperoning groups of gum-chewing children, but whether or not its detrimental to a child’s smile is a complicated question. Some additives, excessive chewing, and a lack of good dental hygiene can make chewing gum a risk, but some types of gum can benefit your child’s natural mouth defenses when chewed in moderation.

Choose the Right Gum

Considered by itself, the act of chewing something edible is beneficial for a number of reasons. The stimulation helps maintain a steady supply of nutrient-rich blood to the jawbone. Chewing also promotes a steady production of saliva, which can help clean your mouth after eating a meal or snack. Made almost entirely of water (over 99%), saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against oral bacteria and the tooth-eroding acids they produce. The sugar in many gum brands can feed these germs, increasing acid production and negating the benefits of increased saliva. Sugarless gum eliminates that risk, and many kinds of chewing gum now contain Xylitol, a naturally-occurring sweetener found in fruits and vegetables that inhibits the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.

Kids Who SHOULDN’T Chew Gum

Reducing the sugar content of chewing gum helps eliminate the increased risk of cavities, but tooth decay isn’t the only complication that can arise from the habit. Children who wear orthodontic braces, or who exhibit symptoms of TMJ disorder (a jaw joint dysfunction), should refrain from the sticky treat. Chewing gum can stick to and damage the brackets and wires of your child’s braces. Constant chewing can exacerbate the symptoms of TMJ disorder, leading to more frequent headaches and migraines, as well as jaw pain and facial soreness. If your child hasn’t been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, but complains of chronic aches and pains that might indicate a jaw problem, then visit Dr. Smith as soon as possible for an evaluation.

About Your Grand Prairie Children’s Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced family and children’s dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Park Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.
Dr. Smith

Recent Posts

Supporting A Complete Set Of Custom DenturesSupporting A Complete Set Of Custom Dentures

Supporting A Complete Set Of Custom Dentures

Our last blog talked about handling complex cases of tooth loss with a set of…

1 hour ago
How We Craft Your Partial DenturesHow We Craft Your Partial Dentures

How We Craft Your Partial Dentures

With partial dentures, our team can create a set of new teeth that can fill…

1 day ago
Preventive Dentistry Helps Keep Your Smile StrongPreventive Dentistry Helps Keep Your Smile Strong

Preventive Dentistry Helps Keep Your Smile Strong

Our team believes in preventive dentistry, and we use these general dental treatments to help…

6 days ago

How We Secure Your Lifelike Bridge

A dental bridge is a natural-looking dental prosthetic that we use to take on minor…

1 week ago

Looking For Summer Fun In Grand Prairie

Summer is here, and there is always something fun and exciting happening in our city.…

2 weeks ago

How Tooth Extraction Could Protect Your Oral Health

Our team can offer a custom dental restoration to repair damaged teeth or take on…

2 weeks ago