Chewing gum can be a notoriously tacky endeavor. Few things are more obnoxious than hearing someone smack his gum in the middle of a sentence. Recent research shows, however, that chewing gum can in fact be beneficial to one’s teeth. Not only does chewing gum help prevent decay and freshen breath, it can also help chewers manage weight, increase focus, and reduce stress.
The main benefit of chewing gum is that it increases saliva flow, which neutralizes and washes away acids produced by bacteria in your mouth as they break down food. This acid, when left in the mouth, eats away at enamel. Saliva also brings with it beneficial minerals such as calcium and phosphates, which strengthen enamel.
Dr. Jack Griffin, a Eureka dentist, recommends sugarless gum to his patients. “Sugar-free gum has been shown in some studies to actually reduce the amount of plaque and decay-causing bacteria in the mouth by stimulating an increase in saliva and disrupting the plaque on surfaces that the gum comes in contact with,” he says. “In other words, sugar-free gum can reduce the number of damage-causing bugs in the mouth.” Some gums even contain ingredients such as xylitol, a natural sweetener found in fruits and plants that has been shown in recent studies to inhibit the growth of the cavity-causing bacterium Streptococcus mutans.
Dr. Arnold Jacobson, a St. Louis dentist, cautions that gum isn’t for everyone. For those with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or other jaw problems, Jacobson warns that chewing gum can “promote muscle activity that may make their situation worse.” He does acknowledge the benefits of chewing gum for people with dry mouths, however, specifically noting a brand called Biotene.
It’s important to remember that you can’t necessarily get the benefits mentioned above from all types of gum. The American Dental Association (ADA) only puts its Seal of Acceptance on sugarless gum, given the detrimental side effects of exposing teeth to sugar for prolonged periods of time. So the seal can be an important element to consider when choosing gum.
Dr. Matthew Cline, a Ballwin dentist, affirms this. “I do think the ADA seal of approval is important, because it means they have gone through the trouble to have it tested, instead of rushing it to the shelves.”
As of November 2009, the ADA had given that approval to sugarless Dentyne Ice, Stride, Trident, Wrigley’s Extra, and Wrigley’s Orbit. So the next time you’re in the checkout lane, don’t feel guilty about reaching for the shelf—there are plenty of good options.
Just remember: While chewing gum can be healthy, the rules of tact still apply.
STATS - A 2005 report from the Mayo Clinic found that chewing gum can burn about 11 calories per hour
