Chewing gum dates back centuries ago as ancient people chewed tree resin to pass the time, clean their teeth and maintain fresh breath. In the modern world, the trend still takes effect; however, with the improved technology and thorough research, today's gums have more sugar content, preservatives, and additional ingredients.
Most gums are made from synthetic rubbers but vary among different brands; however, chewing gums have some basic ingredients such as gum, resins, fillers, preservatives, softeners, sweeteners, and flavorings. While chewing gum has beneficial impacts on humans, some worrying implications exist posed by constantly chewing sugary gums.
Tooth Decay
Sugary gums release sugar contents in the mouth, which coats the teeth when left unattended. Bacteria in the mouth feed on these sugars producing acids as by-products that eat up enamel, gradually damaging it. Therefore, frequent chewing of gums worsens the situation, leading to tooth decay among users. Our dentists recommend using non-sugary chewing gums to minimize the risks of tooth decay infections.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
Constantly chewing gums has been identified as the root cause of jaw muscle imbalance or TMJ. The behavior of using one set of jaw muscles to chew gums constantly leads to its overuse of contracting ligaments. The net result is pain and discomfort during chewing and grinding. Additionally, chewing of gums leads to toothaches and headaches.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Chewing gums increases the air you swallow, which massively contributes to IBS. IBS refers to the disorder associated with abdominal pain and cramping. Hence once triggered, IBS results in bloating and abdominal pain. Moreover, the sweeteners used in chewing gum have been identified as the root causes of diarrhea in many people.
The bottom line is that chewing gum benefits your dental health. However, some people may find it irritating and adversely affecting oral health. When you notice such problems, contact our dentists for further advice. Reach us today for an appointment with us.
Chewing gum dates back centuries ago as ancient people chewed tree resin to pass the time, clean their teeth and maintain fresh breath. In the modern world, the trend still takes effect; however, with the improved technology and thorough research, today's gums have more sugar content, preservatives, and additional ingredients.