I've tried a few cheaper brands, and honestly, the difference wasn't huge. I remember picking up some budget xylitol gum from a discount store once—taste was okay-ish, but it lost flavor pretty quick and got annoyingly tough after a while. Still, for the price, it wasn't terrible. Might be worth experimenting with different store brands... sometimes you stumble onto something decent without breaking the bank. Good luck finding your go-to gum!
Have you noticed any difference in how your teeth feel after chewing the cheaper gum compared to pricier brands? I've tried a few budget options myself, and while flavor-wise they're hit or miss, I sometimes wonder if the xylitol content is actually enough to make a noticeable impact on oral health. Curious if anyone's looked into whether there's a minimum effective amount of xylitol per piece to really help prevent cavities...
I've wondered the same thing about xylitol content. From what I've read, studies suggest you need around 1 gram of xylitol per piece of gum and chew it several times a day (totaling around 5 grams daily) to see any real cavity-preventing benefits. A lot of cheaper gums I've checked seem to have way less than that—sometimes only a fraction per piece—which probably isn't enough to make a noticeable difference.
Personally, when I've used pricier gums with higher xylitol content, my teeth do feel smoother afterward, almost like after brushing. But honestly, I'm not sure if that's placebo or actually due to the xylitol itself. I get a bit anxious thinking about cavities, so I usually play it safe and stick to brands clearly labeling their xylitol amounts. Either way, it's great you're paying attention to ingredients and thinking about your oral health—it really does make a difference in the long run.
I've noticed the smoother feeling too, but I'm not totally convinced it's just about the xylitol. My dentist once mentioned saliva production being key—chewing any sugar-free gum might help just by keeping your mouth moist. Could be a combo effect, maybe?
I've noticed the same thing about saliva production—my dentist explained that a dry mouth can actually speed up tooth decay. I think you're onto something with the combo effect...maybe it's not just the xylitol, but how chewing gum keeps things moist and balanced overall. Makes sense to me!
