Chewing gum:advantages and disadvantages??

The type of chewing gum you chew is the most important deciding factor if its helpful or harmful for teeth.

While chewing gum containing sugar may actually increase chances of developing a cavity, there is clinical evidence which shows just the opposite for sugar-free gum. Chewing gum if sweetened with Xylitol is highly beneficial.

Sugar-free gum helps to clean teeth

Sugar-free gum after meals and snacks can help rinse off and neutralize the acids released by the bacteria present in plaque, which are harmful to the enamel of teeth.

Both the act of chewing and the flavor of the artificial sweeteners in the gum stimulate the normal rate of saliva flow. Not only does the increased saliva flow neutralize the acids in your mouth, it also washes away food particles, helping to keep your teeth clean and cavity free.

Xylitol reduces decay-causing bacteria

Sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol has the benefit of inhibiting the growth of the oral bacteria that cause cavities. In the presence of xylitol, the bacteria lose the ability tobind to the tooth, reducing the cavity-causing process initiation.

With xylitol use over a period of time, the types of bacteria in the mouth change and fewer decay-causing bacteria survive on tooth surfaces.

One of the most pleasent effects of chewing gum is the instant fresh breath that it provides. A good mint flavored gum can help to get rid of those foul smelling bacterium that live inside your mouth, replacing them with a much more pleasant smell.

Chewing gum is also beneficial as it helps to stimulate saliva, and keep the mouth moist, which helps to neutralize acid and keep teeth clean. Chewing gum can also help as a temporary means to satisfy hunger, which leads to reduction of extra snacks that could cause cavities.

Sugar-free gums have been available for quite some time, and have helped to cut down on cavity production. In more recent years, companies have been putting additives in gum that actually have more healthful benefits than just reducing sugar intake.

Some gums contain a product called Xylitol that is used to reduce cavities and plaque. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is considered "tooth friendly" by dental professionals, as it can actually "starve" the negative micro-organisms that damage teeth, allowing the teeth to re-mineralize faster. Xylitol also has the added benefit of tasting similar to actual sugar.

To chew or not to chew

Although chewing sugar-free gum can be beneficial in most instances, there are some cases in which chewing gum is not recommended at all. For example, if you have any type of jaw pain or temporomandibular disorder symptoms (TMD/TMJ), you should refrain from chewing gum and talk to your dentist about it.

For most people, chewing sugar-free gum (especially gum sweetened with xylitol) can be a good preventive measure, but sugar-free or not, chewing gum should never replace good dental hygiene practices.

Another additive that has been used in the production of more healthful chewing gum is called calcium lactate. When added to gums that contain Xylitol, it also can further aid in the re-mineralization process of enamel surfaces. In those instances where a toothbrush may not be readily available (i.e. a public place), chewing gum is the next best alternative. However, let me stress that it is not "substitute" for the brushing of one's teeth, or any other routine dental care. Regardless of how much gum is chewed, it is still important for a person to brush their teeth at least twice a day. But yes, augmenting brushing with chewing (the right) gum can be very helpful.

Disadvantages of chewing gum

While there are some benefits to chewing gum, there are also some factors that a person should take into consideration before using it as a dental aid.

Chewing gum can cause some mouth disorders in certain people, such as a clicking or popping noise in the jaw, or tire out jaw muscles. If a person has a problematic jaw condition (such as a temporomandibular joint condition, otherwise known as "TMJ"), chewing gum can also help to aggravate the condition, as well as provide extra wear and tear on the cartilage surrounding the jaw joints.

Chewing gum that doesn't use helpful additives (like Xylitol and calcium lactate) can be risky and damaging for teeth. The most common ingredient in standard gums is sugar. Sugar has been commonly linked with causing numerous chronic dietary problems, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and emotional disorders. And, of course, good old cavities.

While there are gums that don't use sugar, some artificial sweeteners can be just as detrimental to a person's tooth care. The most common alternative to sugar is aspartame. This sweetener causes its own problems such as cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders and birth defects. The best
preventative measure is to read the label for what ingredients are available in a particular gum, and doing research to see the benefits of any given product.

If at all any one decides to buy a chewing gum its important to take into consideration the contents and the advantages and disadvantages associated with them.Prolonged use is something which is definately not recommended.

Milan Tomic

Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.