Does a piece of gum a day keep the dentist away?

Over the years the appearance of sugar free gum has become more apparent on the market and it is seen to be a key essential for school bags, handbags and cars. Lots of research has been carried out to find out the effects of sugar free gum on oral hygiene. Within this blog post I'll be exploring the benefits and disadvantages to chewing sugar free gum.

It is advices that sugar free gum should be chewed in between meals and on the go, when it is not possible to brush. As sugar free gum contains sweeteners as an alternative to sugars it not believed to cause tooth decay. After meals and eating snacks acids builds up. As spoken about in a previous blog post (don't rush when you brush), acid is one of the main causes of teeth wear by erosion. This is when the enamel dissolves away because of the acid, which overtime can cause holes or cavities, as well as the yellow dentine becoming exposed. Another effect of this is increased sensitivity. Chewing gum causes the production of saliva which can neutralise the acid as it is alkaline. This can soothe the oesophagus and reduce any inflation. For the same reason of producing saliva, chewing gum can help with a dry mouth and bad breath. The sweetener in sugar free gum, xylitol, helps to prevent plaque bacteria sticking to the teeth, reducing tooth decay and even helping to rid of decay already present by replacing the minerals in the tooth enamel. Another major benefit to chewing gum is it aiding concentration, due to the motion and movement of the mouth triggering nerves in the brain which result in improved concentration.

Despite the many advantages to chewing sugar free gum, there are also disadvantages. The main and most obvious reason being the fact that is can cause choking, thus it is recommended that children do not have it regularly or even at all. As well as the obvious disadvantages there are other unknown problems that can arise from chewing gum for a prolonged period of time. A common issue is the arise of bite marks, which can cause soreness and swelling. Not only that, but chewing gum can cause bloating and stomach upset as it can increase the risk of inhaling extra air into the digestive system. The build up of gases in the digestive system can cause pressure on the abdomen and surrounding areas, leading to discomfort. Also, the motion of chewing causes the production of acid in the stomach which is another reason for pains and aches. Despite the lack of sugar, the sweeteners in sugar free gum (such as xylitol) can raise blood glucose levels which suggest diabetics shouldn't consume it. The effects of sweeteners are still unknown and there is mixed opinions on whether they will have the same effects as sugars over a prolonged period of time.

Overall, chewing sugar free gum should be consumed moderation and not excessively, moreover it shouldn't be treated as a replacement for any food. Sugar free gum is a fairly new product in the market, therefore there is not enough exposure to its effects on oral hygiene for the long term. Although it is thought that sugar free gum is a close substitute for brushing teeth between meals, it is still widely believed that brushing is the best option.

Hope you found this insightful. Thanks for reading.
Written by Aarti Chopra
Universal Medicine

Sources
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/03/30/chewing-gum-effects_n_9577708.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1870763.stm
http://www.sciencefocus.com/qa/can-chewing-gum-help-you-concentrate

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