Facts and myths concerning chewing gum

There are many legends concerning chewing gum- some claim that they have salutary effects, other say the opposite. How is it in reality?

Well, dentists recommend chewing gum after meals, but it should be noted that this needs to be done when it is not possible to wash the teeth. Another important piece of information is that the gum should be sugar-free, as any fruit or sweetened gums have a devastating impact on tooth enamel and support the development of caries. Chewing gum should be controlled, ie it should be done in moderation. Chew gum for no more than 15 minutes, because this is the optimal time to restore a neutral pH in the mouth. Moreover, it is worth noting that chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which in turn has a neutralizing effect on acid in the mouth. Saliva also washes away food remains and, at the same time, cleans the teeth. Another aspect in favor of sugar-free chewing gum is that is reduces the risk of tooth decay - even though the composition of the gum does not contain sugar, there are some components of sweeteners, which show slight antibacterial activity.

We can also observe some psychological aspects of chewing gum, namely the facial muscles are relaxed, and the accompanying stress is minimized or completely resolved. People suffering from bad breath should also form a habit of chewing gum, but it is worth noting that this is not a cure, because the bad smell coming from the mouth always has its basis in a disease (including untreated caries, xerostomia - dry mouth, throat diseases, digestive system or stomach ulcers).

Other advantages of sugar-free gums:

• increase the concentrations

• reduce tension through stimulation of specific regions of the brain

• help weight loss

• an important factor in anti-smoking therapy

• to a moderate extent, prevent the occurrence of heartburn

• neutralize stomach acids

Disadvantages:

People with an unhealthy habit of chewing gum for a few hours are exposed to the overload of the temporal-mandibular joint. What is more, it may even lead to hypertrophy of the masseters and unesthetic look of the face- asymmetry of the jaws. Besides, the long and passionate chewing can also lead to the occurrence of another disease, which is bruxism.

Also, you should not also overdo the amount of the gums, because each leaf contains sweeteners, which in excess use, can cause disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract.

Gum should be chewed only after meals, because only then their action is justified and beneficial - chewing gum between meals can cause damage to mucous membranes of the stomach, and in extreme cases lead to ulcers. It is worth mentioning that the users of fixed braces should completely avoid chewing gum.

Facts and myths about chewing gum:

• Fact - gum freshens the breath

• Fact - gum can lead to falling of the dental fillings

• Myth - gum does not whiten the teeth, it can be complementary to other, effective ways of whitening or used prophylactically to prevent discoloration

• Myth - gum will not cure visible cavities 

• Fact - frequent and long-lasting chewing may be the cause of bruxism

• Fact - chewing gum calms down, reduces stress and tension