How Healthy Gum Is for Your Teeth

Commercials tell us that gum can do wonders: the teeth look snow-white after it and the breath is super fresh. But is it really true that gum is great for us?

Today, 5-Minute Crafts has found out the answer to this question.

The good

Let’s start with the good: yes, gum really helps us take care of the mouth and may even have a positive effect on other parts of the body. When you chew gum, saliva is produced in the mouth. It washes the bad bacteria and acids off the teeth, cleaning them. Look at the ingredients of the gum — it probably contains lemon acid which helps reduce the amount of plaque.

Besides, using gum can have a positive influence on other organs and processes.

• By chewing gum, you burn around 11 calories an hour.
• Chewing increases the blood flow to your brain — your memory works better.
• Gum can fight sleepiness. If you feel that you are really sleepy at a bad time, use it.
• Gum also helps with nausea.

The bad

We can’t neglect the fact that chewing gum is not only good for you. Here are some negatives:

• If gum contains sugar, it can have a negative effect on teeth and lead to cavities.
• Even if the gum doesn’t contain sugar, artificial sweeteners won’t do the body any good.
• Regular gum chewing may lead to a quick wear and tear of the enamel and changes in the bite.

How long you should chew gum for

The maximum time you should chew gum is 15 minutes. Any longer will make the jaw tired, and the disadvantages may outweigh the advantages. If it’s necessary, try setting a timer on your phone to know exactly when to stop chewing.