Revitalizing Smiles -Truth About Chewing Gum
Industry: Healthcare
Fairfield, CT (PRUnderground) October 26th, 2018
When you’re bored, curving snack cravings, wanting fresh breath, trying to concentrate or to get a bad taste out of your mouth, you turn to gum. We have been chewing gum since the dawn of time. Chewing gum in various forms has been around since we used to chew gum derived from tree saps.
An old wives tale tells us that if swallowed it can seek residency in our stomachs for 6 years. While that has been largely debunked, why do we actually know about the effects of chewing gum? Is it harmful or can it be beneficial? The truth is, it can be both.
Type of Gum
The key is sugarless. There are many benefits of chewing gum, but only if sugar-free. The only time you will experience harmful effects of gum is if that gum is not sugar-free. The physical act of chewing tends to increase salivary flow. If you chew sugarless gum after eating, the increased salivary flow can help neutralize and wash away the acids that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on your teeth https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/chewing-gum
Over time, acid can break down tooth enamel, creating the conditions for decay. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel. Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.
How to Find the Right Kind of Gum
The American Dental Association recommends sugarless gum, and some types of sugarless gum have the American Dental Association seal of approval on their packaging. Earning the seal mean this brand meets the requirements for safety and efficacy for sugar-free chewing gum. The manufacturer must provide the results of both laboratory studies and clinical studies in humans. The only chewing gums with the ADA Seal are sugarless. They are sweetened by non-cavity-causing sweeteners such as aspartame, sorbitol or mannitol.
Benefits Outside of Your Mouth
Stress reduction. Stress is harmful to your body in many ways–it affects your digestion, immune system, sleep patterns, muscles, and mood. Studies show that gum reduces cortisol, the hormone that causes stress, levels.
Improved concentration. Surprisingly, chewing gum is on many lists of “study hacks” for students–studies show that chewing gum actually improves memory and concentration. Chewing gum has a “waking” effect on your brain–the act of chewing wakes your body and makes you more alert, allowing you to focus and concentrate better. This more alert feeling stems from increased blood flow to the brain and increased heart rate.
Weight management. While you can’t depend entirely on chewing gum to shed those extra pounds, it certainly can help. Sugar-free gum is an excellent snack choice at less than five calories per piece. Chewing gum helps you resist the urge to snack on higher calorie foods, and you also burn calories while chewing.
While chewing gum does have many benefits this does not replace regular brushing/flossing and annual check-ups
About Revitalizing Smiles
At the Offices of Revitalizing Smiles, we take care of all your general needs. Our general dentistry services include oral hygiene and evaluations of your current oral health. We keep you aware of any necessary restorations, gum concerns, bite problems, unusual wear on teeth and potential areas of concerns.
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