Is mastic gum good for teeth? What the research and dentists say

However, mastic gum is not a replacement for proper oral hygiene like brushing your teeth. It works well alongside standard teeth cleaning measures.

What the research actually shows

Research on mastic gum for oral health has had positive results for 40 years.

Mastic outperforms hydrogen peroxide

A study by Koychev et al. in 2017 saw significant inhibition of periodontal pathogens when using mastic gum.² The gum outperformed hydrogen peroxide, which was also tested in the same study, and was gentler on healthy tissue than both hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine.

Various trials from the 1980s and 2003 all saw significant plaque reduction from giving participants mastic gum to chew.¹³ In one of the 2003 trials, participants did not brush or floss for a week to isolate the gum’s effect.¹

Does mastic gum remineralize teeth?

Another aspect of mastic gum that researchers have studied is remineralization. A trial by Tehran University in 2009 compared the remineralization effects of mastic and xylitol gum over a three-week period. Both produced similar results of considerably improving the remineralization of caries-like lesions.⁴

How mastic gum acts on the mouth

Mastic resin contains oils and pathogen-fighting compounds that release when chewed. Sustained chewing is the key to achieving mastic gum’s antiplaque benefits. It lets the gum’s antimicrobial and antiplaque compounds come into contact with your saliva, teeth, tongue, and gums.

This gives you the added benefit of fresher breath.

It’s also why chewing is the recommended form of consumption when taking mastic gum for oral health. Capsules bypass all of these key oral components and act directly in your gut.

We’re not telling you to stop brushing. Mastic gum is intended for use alongside standard oral hygiene like brushing teeth, flossing, and rinsing.

For a more thorough understanding of mastic gum’s plaque-fighting mechanism, read our article on mastic gum and plaque.

Is mastic gum bad for teeth?

If you’ve seen the Reddit thread titled “mastic gum destroyed my teeth,” evidence actually supports the contrary.

Is chewing mastic gum bad for your teeth?

• The biggest customer complaints we receive are about mastic gum’s stickiness, its hardness, and concerns regarding dental work. Complaints about tooth damage are rare.

• The majority of consumer evidence doesn’t support the narrative that mastic gum damages teeth.

• As long as you chew in moderation by following our recommended guidelines, mild-moderate dental work that’s secure in your mouth shouldn’t be a problem.

How to chew mastic for dental benefits

For the best dental benefits, start by chewing once a day following a meal for 5-10 minutes.

Ideally, you’ll want to work your way up to 15-30 minute sessions after every meal. Just don’t extend your sessions before you have adjusted to 5-10 minutes of chewing.

Make sure to alternate the side of your mouth that you chew with to even out the effects. This allows the antiplaque compounds in mastic gum to reach every corner of your mouth.

Who should be cautious

Mastic gum is generally safe and good for teeth, but those with extensive dental work or loose fillings should exercise caution when chewing and start with smaller pieces and shorter sessions to test how it feels.

People with sensitive teeth or TMJ also need to be careful, as mastic’s sticky, hard texture can give them problems.

For those with dental work whose goal is gut health or one of mastic gum’s other benefits, powder capsules are always a safe option.

If you don’t experience any dental benefits from mastic gum, consider stopping and seeking a dentist’s opinion.

Does mastic gum whiten teeth?

Mastic gum does not have whitening properties, but it can reverse pre-cavity lesions which appear as white spots on teeth. So if you have a discolored pre-cavity spot, mastic can help revert it back to a normal color. Its remineralizing properties also allow it to reharden enamel, which keeps teeth healthy and helps prevent decay that can discolor them.

Is mastic gum bad for teeth?

“Mastic gum destroyed my teeth” is a Reddit thread sparking concern in those considering mastic gum for dental health. But overall, mastic gum is good for teeth. The only potential concerns arise for those with sensitive teeth, extensive dental work, or loose fillings.

Does mastic gum remineralize teeth?

Yes, a study in 2009 found that mastic gum has significant remineralizing properties. Its effects were similar to those of xylitol gum. The research tested specifically on caries-like or pre-cavity lesions, which, since they are only damage or demineralization on the tooth and not yet decay, can be reversed.

Is it bad to chew mastic gum all day?

For oral health, we recommend chewing mastic gum for 15-30 minutes. Chewing all day can lead to serious jaw soreness and fatigue and stress your joints. It could also damage fillings. Beyond that, there is no goal which would require one to chew all day.

If you’re ready to experience mastic gum’s dental benefits for yourself, start with chewable nuggets, the best form for oral health.