Contents of this Article:
1) What is Teeth Whitening Gum?
2) What does Teeth Whitening Gum Contain?
3) What are the Benefits of Using Teeth Whitening Gum?
4) What are the Disadvantages of Using Teeth Whitening Gum?
5) Conclusion
What is Teeth Whitening Gum?
Teeth whitening gum is a chewable food item that is fortified with certain edible chemicals that help clear your teeth from unwanted stains. If you are of the opinion that teeth whitening gums shall make your teeth several shades whiter then, you need to think twice.
In reality, tooth brightening gums simply reduce the stains that are already present on your teeth. This does not imply that your teeth shall get a few shades whiter (as is the case with a traditional teeth whitening procedure).
The maximum benefit that you shall get is a few coffee stains less and a slightly more confident smile. The abrasives present in these gums tend to scrape away the stains when you chew a gum.
What Does Teeth Whitening Gum Contain?
As I have mentioned above, tooth bleaching gums comprise of edible chemicals and abrasives that tend to scrape away the stains lacing the outermost layer of your tooth.
Here are the most common active ingredients found in teeth whitening gums as per LeanAndFit review staff:
Sodium Ascrorbate
This is a chemical that contains high amounts of Vitamin C in it. Sodium Ascrorbate is a natural anti-oxidant that prevents cell damage and also creates an alkaline environment by reducing the acidity levels. It is high in sodium.
Malic Acid
This is a chemical that is usually present in certain citrus fruits as well as in wine. It is commonly found in plums, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, apricots, grapes, apples etc.
Malic acid has the tendency to maintain electrical balance in cells. This acid is usually used to treat dry mouth and various types of skin ailments. It also has a natural cleansing ability, which is why, it is used in tooth whitening gums.
Titanium Dioxide
This chemical has the natural ability to accelerate the oxidative reaction in your mouth. Owing to this, your teeth automatically flush out the stains.
Scientific research suggests that when nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are reacted with blue light, they tend to become abrasive in nature. This abrasion removes tough stains from the outermost surface of your teeth.
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
This chemical is usually found in the body fluids and is often used as a natural anti-tartar agent. Used widely by dentists in teeth whitening procedures, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate helps maintain the white shade of your tooth.
As far as the FDA is concerned then, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate has been rated safe and ‘easy to use’ by human being. When used in gums, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate inhibits calcium deposits from getting embossed onto your teeth.
Citrate Acid
This is an acid that naturally occurs in various fruits. Some of the most common ones include lemons, pineapples and even oranges. The main purpose of citrate acid is to whiten your teeth by removing tea and coffee stains.
When citrate acid is introduced into your mouth via these tooth whitening gums, it tends to not only remove the stains but also produce more saliva. The end result is brighter teeth and a stain-free smile.
Calprox
This is a subsidiary of calcium and helps in keeping the veneers and tooth caps in place. It is also good for maintaining and holding dentures in their place.
As it is made from calcium peroxide, Calprox helps in removing coffee, tea and even tobacco stains from the surface of your teeth. It is usually found in gums used for whitening your teeth with.
What are the Benefits of using Teeth Whitening Gum?
Tree resin gum has been around for thousands of years. It has been used by ancient civilizations for centuries to maintain healthy gum and teeth. As far as gums used in the present times to whiten teeth are concerned then, they too are a subsidiary of their ancestors (the tree raising)
Here are the top 5 benefits of chewing gum meant to whiten your teeth with:
Helps Remove Stains
The stains that often cover your tooth after you drink tea, coffee, cola or smoke cigarettes refuse to go away. Even if you brush your teeth via a paste twice daily, these stains remain.
Chewing gums meant to whiten your teeth with, tend to remove these stains. These may not be as efficient as traditional teeth whitening methods yet they do help remove such unwanted colors.
Makes Your Gums Stronger
The very act of chewing gum tends to encourage your gum and teeth to work efficiently. This is an exercise that is much needed for strengthening your teeth and gums.
When you chew on gum, you tend to strengthen your jaw bone as well. At the same time, this act helps in reducing food cravings thereby helping you maintain optimal body weight by avoiding over-eating.
Encourages Saliva Production
When you chew on gum, you automatically activate your salivary glands. This process helps in the secretion of saliva, which is vital for helping you chew your food. It is also vital for helping you digest your food.
When you have ample saliva, you automatically have ample microbial agents that ward off tooth and gum infection. Saliva washes away food particles stuck in between your gum and teeth. It helps clean your teeth and stop cavities from developing.
Acts as a Mouth Freshener
Regular usage of chewing gum to whiten teeth helps you fight bad breath. Usually, such gums are fortified with fragrant substances, which helps keep foul odor at bay.
Basically, when you chew gum, you exercise your teeth and gums. This helps in secreting saliva. When you have saliva in your mouth, it tends to flush away food debris and even dead cells. The end result is a fresh smelling mouth devoid of bad breath.
Stops Unnecessary Dental Visits
The gum that you chew has medicinal properties as well. The abrasive material present in the gum helps your teeth fight bacterial infection. Moreover, with added saliva production, your teeth not only become stronger but also whiter.
The American Dental Association suggests that in order to reduce dental diseases, you should chew medicated gum post your meals. When coupled with brushing your teeth twice daily, your chances of visiting a dentist reduce significantly.
Re-Mineralize Your Teeth
Chewing gum has the natural ability to activate natural minerals from getting absorbed by your gum and teeth. This helps in reducing Streptococcus mutans. When this bacterium is contained, it reduces the chances of you getting infected with dental caries.
What are the Disadvantages of using Teeth Whitening Gum?
Listed below are the main advantages of using this devise:
Jaw & Tooth Pain
While chewing gum to whiten your teeth does help most men and women to retain a whiter shade, they can be a trauma for others. Excessive chewing of gum can lead to jaw and tooth pain.
In certain cases, this chewing process can go too far leading to emporomandibular disorder. This is when your jaw and teeth are unable to strike a balance.
Not a Replacement for Teeth Whitening
If you thought that chewing gum used to whiten your teeth can replace traditional tooth whitening methods then, you are wrong. They cannot match the might of the traditional tooth bleaching methods.
Not a Replacement for Regular Cleansing
Once again, chewing gums that claim to whiten your teeth may assist you in removing coffee/tea stains but they cannot replace your regular oral cleaning.
In simpler words, you cannot replace regular flossing, tooth brushing and dental visits. So, you need to use it as an add-on to your regular dental cleansing procedure.
Dental Erosion
You need to keep a close watch on which type of dental chewing gum you are using to whiten your teeth with. If it is laden with certain chemicals and flavors that are considered unhealthy for your teeth then, switch to another brand.
In simpler words, certain chewing gum tends to erode your tooth enamel thereby exposing your gums. Sometimes, even the pulp of your tooth is exposed.
Conclusion
Without a shadow of a doubt, the need for whiter and brighter teeth is omnipresent in both men and women alike. This quest leads them to apply all sorts of teeth whitening products onto their tooth and gums alike. Those that want it easy tend to opt for teeth whitening gums.
This is when you need to ensure that you get hold of sugar-free gum that is fortified with citrus flavors. Use the gum with caution and not more than desired. One gum a day is sufficient.
Do not expect miracles when you chew gum as teeth whitening gums are meant to remove minor stains from your tooth. They cannot be as effective as traditional teeth whitening products.