Blog Post

Can Chewing Gum Reduce Teeth Sensitivity?

Gerald M • Apr 24, 2017
chewing gum and dental care, dental care

Whitening and Sensitivity

When it comes to teeth whitening, there is the potential for developing sensitivity, but, luckily, it’s also possible that chewing gum may help reduce that sensitivity. At-home teeth whitening treatment kits are fairly common, but the whitening agents found in some products can cause or worsen already sensitive teeth. Sensitivity can also be caused by certain foods and drinks as well as a rough brushing regimen, but a group of researchers are certain gum can help after their study’s results.

The recent study, published by the British Dental Journal , saw 88 patients have their teeth whitened and then split into three groups. The groups consisted of patients chewing sugar free gum, patients chewing sugar free gum with Recaldent, and patients who didn’t chew gum at all. Much to the surprise of the researchers, the patients from the groups who chewed gum experienced less sensitivity compared to the control group of patients.

History of Chewing Gum

Scientists suspect that the act of chewing gum provided the therapeutic effect of reducing sensitivity by encouraging the increased flow of saliva and providing a simple distraction, making patients less aware of the pain. Other studies have even shown chewing gum could benefit the teeth by preventing decay.

As per the American Dental Association, chewing gum for oral health is an old practice. Chewing gum, in various forms, has been done for thousands of years. Greeks chewed sap from mastic trees, and Mayans chewed sap from the sapodilla tree. In New England, Native Americans were also known to chew spruce sap, something the European settlers learned from them. Despite the more complex materials found in most gum products today, the tradition continues.

Desensitizing Agents and Whitening

Desensitizing agents found in gum, such as Recaldent, help reduce discomfort. Agents like Recaldent can help strengthen teeth by providing calcium and phosphate to re-mineralize teeth. There are currently two brands of sugar free gum that have the ADA’s stamp of approval. They also recommend chewing gum 20 minutes a day at least to reduce tooth decay.

If you’re in the process of whitening your teeth, invest in products for sensitive teeth as well to make the process more bearable. You can find this in gum as well as toothpaste and mouthwash. If any of your teeth’s dentin is exposed, you may prefer these items over other oral health products.

Whitening strips can irritate the nerves and make the process extremely uncomfortable, so you might try a subtler treatment to begin with. You should also use products with low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, which is found in most whitening products, and work your way up. This will help your teeth to adjust and allow you to avoid discomfort without postponing treatment. You should also talk with your dentist to clarify which method would be the most effective.

Did you know that you can save up to 20 percent off your dental bills with our discount dental plans ? We offer individual, family, and employee plans for small business owners. To learn more, click here.

Photo via Billion Photos / Shutterstock

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