The types and functions of chewing gum

It is well known that yeast sugar is the second choice for cleaning teeth after brushing. People pay for its smell, taste and efficacy. The oral health care effect of chewing gum is mainly achieved through two pathways: one is the mechanical chewing effect, and the other is the health care effect of the added components in chewing gum.

According to the ingredients added to chewing gum, the following classifications are made for chewing gum:

1. Xylitol-containing chewing gum
The sweetness of xylitol of the same mass is the same as that of sucrose, but the former absorbs heat during the dissolution process and produces a refreshing and cool taste. These characteristics make xylitol a favorite among oral health products. Even if it is made into xylitol candies, the phenomenon of tooth decay can still be reduced.

2. Chlorinated hexidine gum
Experiments have shown that the deposition of dental plaque on the tooth surface when using chewing gum containing chlorhexidine is far less than when using chlorhexidine mouthwash.

3. Chlorinated chewing gum
Fluoride ions can inhibit plaque formation and the growth and metabolism of cariogenic bacteria, and affect the fermentation and acid production of cariogenic bacteria. Fluorapatite can enhance the crystallinity, stability and hardness of crystals, and promote remineralization.

4. Urea-containing chewing gum
Chewing urea-containing chewing gum can promote the increase of plaque pH value by releasing ammonia.

5. Others
Some people add calcium phosphate to chewing gum to promote the remineralization of early caries.

The main functions of chewing gum:

1. Impact on dental caries
Chewing gum can effectively reduce the accumulation of plaque in areas prone to dental caries through mechanical chewing. Saliva is a natural defense system in the oral cavity and a natural barrier against tooth decay. The anti-caries ability of an individual is usually evaluated by the flow rate and buffering capacity of saliva, and chewing gum can affect these two indicators. Mechanical chewing and taste stimulation cause the saliva flow of normal individuals to be 3 to 10 times that of the resting state. In the first few minutes, the saliva flow rate reaches its peak, and then gradually decreases due to the loss of flavor and the softening of chewing gum. Chewing chewing gum increases the buffering capacity of saliva, promotes remineralization and repairs early caries, and is beneficial for the removal of cariogenic food debris in the oral cavity. Chewing gum is even used to relieve symptoms of dry mouth and is of great benefit to patients with dry mouth in preventing tooth decay.

2. Impact on periodontal diseases
Experiments have shown that chewing gum sugar can reduce plaque and alleviate symptoms in patients with gingivitis.

3. Improve bad breath
With the improvement of living standards, people's demands for the quality of life are constantly rising, and bad breath has attracted more and more people's attention. It has been reported abroad that at least 50% of people have chronic bad breath, and 85% of them are caused by dental caries, periodontal diseases and poor oral hygiene. Even very low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan can cause unpleasant odors. Chewing chewing gum promotes saliva secretion, mechanically cleans the mouth, lowers pH value and improves oral odor. Chewing gum containing metal ions, especially zinc, has a better effect because of its affinity for sulfides, which can inhibit the formation of odors.



Chewing gum is easy to use and can be accepted by people of all ages. Chewing chewing gum is beneficial for preventing dental caries, improving periodontal conditions, and slowing down the formation of dental plaque on the tooth surface. It helps the elderly and the weak maintain oral health, remove residual soft deposits from dentures, and reduce the occurrence of denture stomatitis and angular stomatitis. As a medium for some oral medications, chewing gum overcomes the shortcomings and deficiencies of other measures, such as short local action time, complex operation, and poor compliance, and achieves the expected therapeutic effect in the special oral environment. Chewing gum is a very promising oral health product.




Author: Wuxi Gum Base
Publication Date: 9/23/2025