To Chew or Not to Chew: The Truth About Gum and Dental Health

As a means for caring for teeth, chewing gum analogs appeared a long time ago. Since ancient times, people have chewed tree resins and rubber. The first “chewing gum” to go on sale was packaged resin and paraffin with the addition of spices. Over the past 100 years, chewing gum has managed to conquer the market not only as a treat but also as a dental care product. How can chewing gum fight tooth decay? How does it actually affect the health and condition of the teeth? Consider the pros and cons, as well as the opinions of experts in dentistry.

Brief history of chewing gum

For millennia, people have chewed gum for a number of reasons. The ancient Greeks, Mayans, and Native Americans all chewed on tree resin, and tooth imprints in this sort of substance have been discovered at archaeological sites dating back more than 5,000 years. American immigrants were selling spruce resin chewing gum for a cent a piece as early as 1848.

Today, the product is made up of a few basic ingredients. The first, known simply as “gum,” is the substance that makes it rubbery. While many manufacturers keep a very tight secret about the recipe, it almost always contains a proportion of resin, elastomer, and natural or artificial waxes. Sweeteners and other additives regulate flavor, texture, and overall elasticity.

Is chewing gum good for teeth?

Opinions about the benefits of chewing gum after its appearance on sale were divided into positive and negative. Chewing gum is positioned as a remedy against caries, first of all, because it helps remove food particles from teeth, freshens breath, helps in the fight against smoking, and can be used instead of a toothbrush. This is exactly what the manufacturers of this product say. Let’s highlight the main pros and cons of teeth.

Pros and cons of chewing gum

Chewing gum undeniably has advantages objectively identified by experts:

• Active salivation: During chewing, a large amount of saliva is produced – which is the undoubted benefit of chewing gum. Saliva is a natural protector of enamel, and in addition, it helps wash away food and acid residues from teeth.
• Gum massage: Active movements of the jaws promote micro-massage of the gums, which is a kind of prevention of periodontal diseases.

Muscle tone of the jaw and mandibular joint- Like hard fruits and vegetables, such as apples or carrots, chewing gum is a good exercise for these muscles.

But there is no real protection against caries on this list. Chewing gum – even the so-called whitening gum, with small cleaning granules – does not replace a toothbrush and does not remove tartar and bacterial plaque, which are the cause of caries. In addition, chewing gum does not penetrate hard-to-reach places and interdental spaces, where only dental floss or an oral irrigator can deal with contaminants and, therefore, cannot ensure complete dental hygiene.

However, chewing gum is worthwhile as a small preventive procedure after eating. But not as a replacement for daily and thorough brushing of your teeth

Harms of Chewing gum

• The main disadvantage of chewing gum is that it cannot be chewed for long. Chewing that lasts longer than 5-10 minutes causes excessive secretion of gastric juice, which is not only fraught with heartburn and, subsequently, gastritis but is also harmful from a dental point of view, since with frequent heartburn, gastric acid vapors enter the oral cavity, harming the enamel.
• Also, chewing gum – like other too viscous or, on the contrary, too hard products – is strongly not recommended for patients with already developed gum diseases ( periodontitis, periodontal disease ), too mobile teeth, as well as with dentures (especially removable ones), implants and braces. Such products can cause the loosening of teeth,damage the attachment of braces or dentures, and significantly interfere with orthopedic or orthodontic treatment.
• You can use chewing gum no more than four times a day and for no longer than 20 minutes.

What chewing gum to choose?

It is unlikely that anyone carefully looks at the composition of chewing gum when buying it in a store. Many manufacturers are trying to improve the effect of chewing gum on the oral cavity by adding fluorides, ureas, vitamins, or sodium bicarbonate. These micronutrients can really be useful. The main thing is when choosing chewing gum, give preference to one that does not contain sweeteners or dyes. The less of them in the composition of chewing gum, the better: too sweet, “children’s” chewing gum is more harmful than beneficial since the sweet elements can remain on the tooth enamel for a long time.

Even more importantly, do not replace chewing gum with more significant and useful procedures for the prevention of dental diseases: daily personal brushing of teeth and periodic professional cleaning at the dentist.

How to properly use chewing gum to prevent caries?

Chewing gum is recommended to chew after eating; it improves salivation, which helps to wash off food and acids formed in the mouth.

You can chew gum for 3-5 minutes since longer use of the product contributes to an increased secretion of gastric juice, which negatively affects the condition of the stomach.

If you have thin tooth enamel, then chewing gum with large hard granules can scratch the enamel when chewed. In this case, preference should be given to options with a softer structure.

Chewing gum containing sugar, as well as sweeteners, juice, or its synthetic analogs, dyes, and flavors, with frequent use, can adversely affect the condition of the teeth since sugar creates a breeding ground for bacteria, and acids destroy the protective layer.

Chewing gums containing xylitol (dental treatment) are not medicinal. With frequent chewing, released chemicals can adversely affect health. Therefore, experts do not recommend replacing professional hygiene and regular brushing with chewing gum. If there is an unpleasant smell, bleeding gums, or caries, contact a specialist for professional, comprehensive treatment.

In conclusion, while chewing gum can offer some benefits like increased saliva production and gum massage, it should never replace daily brushing and professional dental care. To maintain a healthy smile, consult a professional dentist for routine check-ups and guidance on maintaining proper oral hygiene practices.