The Effect of Artificial Sweeteners in Chewing Gum, Helpful or Harmful?

Objective/Aims: This review of literature was designed to analyze the effects of artificial sweeteners in chewing gum in the oral cavity. The intent was to recognize which formulations of artificial sweeteners in chewing gum lead to beneficial outcomes in the oral cavity and which formulations lead to harmful effects. Methods: The review of literature analyzed the conclusions of primary and secondary resources accumulated from PubMed. Multiple scholarly studies were filtered based upon meta-analysis, cross-sectional, and cohort studies. The following key terms were used: artificial sweetener, chewing gum, plaque, saliva, microbes, and oral health. A summative report was created based upon the relevant findings. Articles selected were published after 2014. Results: The studies collected were assessed using a measure of saliva and plaque pH, salivary function, caries occurrence, remineralization, and oral flora. Xylitol made the most beneficial impact on the oral cavity. Research indicates artificial sweeteners have shown an immense advantage over conventional sugar in chewing gum, and its resulting effects on hard tissue. Conclusion: The relationship between artificial sweeteners and oral health supports different advantageous outcomes in the oral cavity. In conclusion, although studies using artificial sweeteners can show benefits to the oral cavity, the dose of artificial sweetener required to yield these results are often not found in chewing gum.