Chewing on Sugar-Free Gum
Many would likely think this is more of a preventive solution than a remedy. However, it is indeed a way of preventing the development of cavities. According to the American Dental Association, chewing sugarless gum helps reduce plaque acid, as it increases salivary flow, thus preventing damage to the teeth. It also raises the pH level of plaque in the mouth, reducing teeth-damaging acidity.
Additionally, some studies say sugarless chewing gum helps reduce the oral population of Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium that plays a role in dental cavity buildup. This bacteria-reducing benefit is usually due to the sugar substitute compounds used in chewing gum. This sugar substitute can be the natural alcoholic substance called xylitol or casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). The latter is known to be more effective at reducing S. mutans.
However, sugar-free gum does help remedy dental cavity formation by simply reducing the factors contributing to the formation of cavities. The early stages of dental caries are reversible. Therefore, the prevention of cavity progression has an impact in possibly reversing the early stages of cavity formation.
