Is Chewing Gum Good Or Bad For Your Teeth

When it comes to chewing gum, many people love it, but others can do without it.  As a matter of fact, gum chewing has been around since ancient times, beginning as edible goodies from trees. It was a favorite treat for the ancient Greeks and was also considered a delight for the Mayans, whose form of gum was taken from the sapodilla tree. Today, gum is made up of several synthetic materials and many different flavors that add a great taste.

On average, one American can chew up to 300 sticks a year, equalling to 1.5 lbs! Besides the amazing flavor that gum provides, there are also many benefits and negative effects that chewing gum can have on your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, some sugarless gum has been proven to protect teeth while other kinds of gum can do harm to them. Below we will explore the negatives and benefits of gum chewing.

Reasons Gum Chewing Is Bad For You –

Gum Can Trigger TMJ:

TMJ disorder is a serious medical condition that affects the temporomandibular joint. This joint connects the muscles to your jaw, and it also helps you chew. The dislocation of this bone can cause many other problems, such as locking of the jaw, migraines, ringing in the ears, and other complications. Chewing gum can also cause muscle exhaustion.

Doesn’t Get Rid Of Bad Breath:

The origin of bad breath, also known as halitosis, stems from 3 different sources: the mouth, stomach, and the nose. Another contributing factor is that bacteria builds in the mouth promoting bad breath. Poor dental habits, such as not flossing or brushing your teeth twice a day, could contribute to bad breath amongst other oral problems. Chewing gum is a quick way to reduce the bad smell temporarily, but it does not remove the cause of bad breath. Below are tips to reduce bad breath.

1. Drink Water Regularly: Not only is drinking water great for your body, but it’s also amazing for your oral health. Keeping your mouth hydrated and moist helps wash away bacteria that can cause bad breath. If you notice your bad breath is lasting all day, you are probably not drinking enough water. If you are drinking enough water and still have this issue, you might have another problem.
2. Use Tongue Scrapers: The tongue is the top offender of housing large amounts of bacteria causing bad breath. Make sure to brush the tongue when brushing your teeth, or use a tongue scraper as another effective way of removing the odor-causing bacteria.
3. Rinse with Mouthwash: Mouthwash is another effective technique that assists in reducing bad breath and germs. But be careful, as some mouthwash is full of higher alcohol content than beer! Alcohol can dry the mouth which sometimes influences the PH levels of the saliva in the mouth – causing more bacteria. It’s best to use an alcohol-free mouthwash in combination with flossing for an effective mouth cleansing habit.

Influences Metabolism:

Your body cannot digest gum if swallowed, and this can even cause constipation if swallowed in large amounts. The upside to this is if an individual chewed sugar-free gum for 20 mins at a time, it can promote calorie loss.

Tooth Damage:

If your favorite gum contains sugar, you may be hurting your teeth. The chemicals in chewing gum such as xylitol and calcium lactate can damage tooth enamel.

Gum Contains Artificial Sweeteners: 

Some chewing gum brands contain large amounts of artificial sweeteners within their ingredients. To name one, phenylketonuria is a sweetener found in many chewing gums. The scary fact about this sweetener is that it has been linked to brain damage among individuals who are allergic to the chemical phenylalanine.

Reasons Gum Chewing Is Good for You –

ADA Approved Gum:

The American Dental Association is the largest not-for-profit dental association, representing over 159,000 dental clients. They have also become a leading source of dental information. Only look for sugarless chewing gum that has the “ADA approved” seal.

Improves Wakefulness:

Gum chewing can be great in enhancing your alertness. Chewing gum can improve memory, reduce anxiety and suppress your appetite. A study conducted by Live Science concluded that chewing gum before a test often improved test scores.

Relieves Ear Pain:

Taking a flight on an airplane soon? You may want to keep a pack of sugarless gum handy. Chewing gum during takeoff and landing often helps reduce the “pop” that you may feel within your ears. This effect happens when there is a drastic change in pressure.

Sugarless Gum:

Chewing on sugarless gum has been proven to encourage the production of saliva. Saliva is a natural combatant of bacteria that live on teeth by washing away harmful acids. The only awards that the American Dental Association (ADA) provides are to sugarless gum. Get a complete list of ADA Accepted Chewing Gum that is healthy for your teeth.

Helps Morning Sickness:

Expectant mothers, you may have found a remedy for morning sickness. Gum that has peppermint or cinnamon within it can help to settle an upset stomach. This type of gum also relieves dry mouth with the help of production from saliva.

Contact Our Office:

Our office staff always welcomes any inquiries regarding your dental hygiene. Call our office today at 781-810-8730. Dr. Alwazzan is always open to answering any inquiries you may have in regard to maintaining a great smile!

From Dr. Alwazzan and staff, have a merry Christmas and a happy New Years!