The effects of chewing gum

Chewing gum can be used for relaxing purposes, to reduce stress while studying, or just for something to keep your mind and your mouth occupied. This reliever may be fun to chew on, but is it healthy for your teeth? In many ways it is. A few years ago the popular chewing gum flavor Big Red was recognized as a gum that reduces bacteria that causes bad breath in Chicago. Along with Big Red, Xylitol sugar free gum is considered a great gum that is healthy for teeth.

Xylitol is proven to fight and reduce plaque, fight cavities, increase bone mass and other things to keep your teeth healthy. Gum also helps stimulate saliva production which can wash away bacteria acid. Chewing gum also moistens your mouth and freshens up your breath. However, because gum contains sweetener, if it’s left in the mouth too long it can damage the teeth with sugar residue. Also, too much gum chewing can result to jaw clicking and popping, and mouth muscle pains.

In retrospect to the effects of chewing gum, sugar free gums and regular gums obviously have their own pros and cons. Chewing gum originated in the mid 1800s in the tropical rain forests of Central America. The saps from tropical trees were peeled off for a flavorless food to chew on. Of course, gum is now a mass-produced product. The best thing to do to prevent gum damaging effects is to find gum with Xylitol to prevent gum diseases and decay.

Dental hygienist Carla Lewis mentioned a few things to keep in mind while choosing what gum to chew and how to take care of your teeth while chewing the gum. “Xylitol is really good especially if you don’t have time to brush,” Lewis said. “If you have to drink soda that is not diet or sugar free, always try to rinse your mouth out afterwards.”

Specialists and dentists are still trying to find the cleanest and healthiest gum to chew every day. Not every type of gum will be completely healthy, but dentists recommend Xylitol to being closest to perfection. The best advice is to choose what you want your gum to do for you and make a selection on what fits your needs. Whether it’s to keep pearly white teeth clean, or just a mouth full of flavor to last you through the hour.