Health Benefits of Chewing Gum

Friday, October 13, 2006

The sugar-free chewing gum market has been steadily increasing and now accounts for between 40% and 85% of the total chewing gum market. Reasons for this are that enhanced flavour and sweetness enabled manufacturers to produce a good-tasting, longer-lasting chewing gum. Furthermore, the non-cariogenic (will not cause tooth decay) nature of sugar-free chewing gums brings significant dental benefits, because they dont contain sugars which would cause an increase in acid levels in the mouth.

The popular perceptions were that chewing gum was bad for the teeth. However, many dentists now agree that chewing sugarless gum after meals actually has health benefits. Indeed, Wrigley's Orbit sugar-free gum was the first sugar-free chewing gum to be awarded accreditation by the British Dental Association (BDA) recognizing its contribution to good oral health.

The benefits arise due to the fact that tooth decay occurs when essential minerals are dissolved from the tooth enamel by acids produced by the bacteria in plaque. Teeth are at their most vulnerable directly after meals and snacks, when plaque acid levels rise dramatically.

Normally, it can take up to two hours for these acids to be either flushed away or neutralised, during which time your teeth are under attack. This is why people are told to eat something crispy -- like an apple -- immediately after meals.

However, chewing gum removes these acids within minutes, thus greatly slowing down tooth decay. Chewing stimulates saliva production up to ten-fold, thus flushing out oral bacteria. Furthermore, saliva contains hydrogen carbonate ions, a mild alkali, which serves to neutralise plaque acids. For this reason, hydrogen carbonate is used in many toothpastes. Saliva also contains minerals such as calcium, phosphate and fluoride - all components of tooth enamel - which can be assimilated and thus help to repair early decay and also strengthen tooth enamel.

Another theory is that amylase, an enzyme present in saliva, speeds up the digestion of carbohydrates in food.

Chewing gum is also a very helpful displacement activity for people trying to quit smoking, by keeping them occupied enough to greatly reduce the cravings for a cigarette. For those who need a a bit of extra encouragement, it's possible to buy gum that contains nicotine. The action of chewing releases the nicotine. This is then absorbed through the mouth, in exactly the same manner as nicotine from a 'smoke' and travels directly to the brain to produce its effects. Chewing a nicotine gum produces a steady level of nicotine in the body, which reduces the craving to smoke; and alleviates the withdrawal symptoms of irritability, restlessness and hunger.

Nicotine gums are available in varying strengths according to an individual's smoking habits. For example, a 2mg-strength gum is available for those who smoke less than 20 cigarettes per day.

Aside from the tremendous health benefits realized when you quit smoking, remember that nicotine stains, along with coffee and tea, are main sources of staining and discoloration of your teeth.