Studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum after a meal does help to clear food debris from the mouth and stimulates the production of saliva by as much as 10 times the normal rate!
Saliva plays an important role in reducing the risk of tooth decay and helps remineralize teeth. Saliva neutralizes the acidity your mouth, provides calcium and phosphate to aid in the process of remineralization.
Saliva is capable of storing and releasing fluoride to inhibit the production of bacterial acid, and hardens teeth so they are less soluble.
Whilst chewing sugar-free gum is helpful, it is not an adequate replacement for brushing you teeth twice a day. Chewing gum that contains sugar will nourish oral bacteria and increases tooth decay.
Rose Carr
Senior Nutritionist
New Zealand Health Guide
Issue 67, pg 20