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| Have a chew! (photo: Y. Mikalopas) |
It took a little web surfing to verify that this is even
actually a “national day” and then I figured, even if it's not, why not write
about the benefits, and potential detriments, of chewing gum.
1- Hold the sugar
Benefits gained by chewing gum are with “SUGARFREE” or
“SUGARLESS” gum only. These gums contain
sugar substitutes such as sorbitol or xylitol (which is becoming very popular
these days and being added to lots of “diet” products.) Sugar contributes to
the creation of cavities so it is NOT a good idea to chew gum that contains
sugar. Ever. Sorry.
Potential detriment: Sugar substitutes can cause stomach
upset, so go easy with the amount of gum you chew. If you are sensitive to
these types of products, you might want to skip it.
2– Have a chew after meals
According to the American Dental Association website
(ada.org), chewing gum for twenty minutes after a meal stimulates saliva. The more saliva you have, the better for your
mouth. Saliva helps to wash away the sugars that the plaque bacteria in your
mouth need to live and grow and helps to return your mouth to normal pH levels.
Saliva also contains potassium and calcium, which along with fluoride, helps to
re-mineralize your teeth.
Caveat: If you have jaw problems or “TMJ” chewing for twenty
minutes might not be for you. If you have braces, loose fillings, bridgework or
dentures, also not for you. And if you have loose fillings or bridgework,
please get yourself to the dentist.
3- Stop smoking and lose weight!
The Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org) suggests that chewing gum
can assist with smoking cessation as well as forestall the urge to eat,
decreasing your total intake of calories. It’s a win-win and there is research
that backs up these assertions.
I don’t see any negatives here. I’d rather see people
chewing gum like cows than smoking.
4 – Four-Step Program
Dental hygienists have proposed a four-step process for a
healthy mouth: Floss, Brush, Rinse, and…you guessed it – Chew. (Adha.org)
Please note that chewing gum does not allow one to skip the
brushing or the flossing. Ever. Sorry.
5- Smarty pants
There have been multiple studies which seem to indicate that
chewing gum may increase memory and improve test performance.
Unfortunately, chewing gum in school – kind of frowned
upon. Too many wads wind up stuck under
the desk, in carpet, or in hair. But if you’re studying at home, it can’t hurt.
If you’d like to see a list of sugar-free chewing gums that
get the stamp of approval from the American Dental Association – yes, the “four
out of five dentists” endorsement is a real thing – visit this page on their
website:
Finally: Brush, floss, rinse and chew to get those teeth
clean and shiny in preparation for World Smile Day, this Friday, October 2, 2015.
