Is Gum Bad For Your Teeth?
Choosing the right type of chewing gum can help reduce the risk of tooth decay. Choosing sugarless gum can boost saliva production, which helps neutralize and rinse away acid from food digestion, potentially reducing the risk of tooth decay. Chewing gum after meals can help protect your teeth and promote better oral health.
The minerals found in excess saliva can help strengthen tooth enamel, which also reducing the risk of cavities.
When Gum is Terrible for Teeth
Using sugary gum can have negative effects on dental health due to its high sugar content. Various types of sugary gums, including those in yellow packaging, bubble gum squares, and gumballs from vending machines, are examples of products that can contribute to tooth decay.
The introduction of sugar causes bacteria in your mouth to metabolize it, resulting in the production of acids that erode tooth enamel. This process may result in tooth decay and gum disease with continued exposure.
There are instances where it is advisable to avoid chewing gum:
- If the gum has sugar: Chewing gum with added sugar may increase the risk of tooth decay and cavities.
- If you have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ): Excessive chewing can strain your jaw and worsen your symptoms.
- If you have crowns or fillings: The gum texture and continuous chewing of gum may have negative effects on certain dental procedures.
- If you have braces: Braces made of metal, ceramic, or placed on the tongue can be damaged by gum getting stuck in the brackets and bending the wires.
Effects of Chewing Gum on Your Teeth
Chewing gum offers benefits such as stress reduction and memory improvement. For individuals looking to break a habit, they may want to explore alternatives like mints, gummy candies, or hard candies. Some people see it is a tool for weight loss or use it to help quit smoking. Chewing gum has both positive and negative effects on oral health, especially for individuals prone to gum biting. The effect on teeth can differ based on the type of gum being chewed. Consuming sugary gum can potentially lead to tooth damage, as the sugar can provide a food source for bacteria in the mouth. But sugar-free gums can help maintain fresh breath and improve dental hygiene.
Are there benefits to chewing gum?
Chewing sugarless gum can help prevent tooth decay by increasing saliva production, which helps neutralize and remove acid in the mouth. Increased saliva flow helps to remove food particles and bacteria, strengthen teeth, and reduce acidic levels that can damage tooth enamel.
Research has indicated that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals can potentially lower the risk of tooth decay based on studies done with volunteers.
Sugar-free gum can help with dry mouth symptoms, and mint-flavored gum can offer temporary relief from bad breath.
Chewing sugar-free gum with artificial sweeteners like aspartame, stevia, xylitol, and sorbitol can potentially lower the chances of tooth decay. Research has suggested potential benefits to chewing sugar-free gum.
Chewing gum can stimulate saliva production, which can help improve oral health by clearing leftover food particles and balancing acidity levels caused by oral bacteria.
Some sugar-free chewing gums claim to have a whitening benefit. Teeth whitening products can help reduce discoloration from habits like smoking or consuming red wine or coffee, although they cannot change the actual shade of your teeth.
Is excessive gum chewing harmful to your jaw?
The temporomandibular joints, located in front of the ears, help with jaw movement. These joints are supported by a complex system of muscles that enable you to chew, as well as move your jaw in different directions.
Chewing is the action of breaking down food into smaller pieces for easier swallowing. When it comes to gum chewing, it is typically done for the purpose of chewing. Dentists consider gum chewing to be parafunctional, as it is beyond normal function.
Chewing gum and other parafunctional habits may worsen temporomandibular disorders (TMJ) or aggravate pre-existing conditions.
Chewing gum constantly can strain your jaw joints, muscles, and teeth, resulting in stress, and misplacement. This may result in:
- Experiencing a sensation of clicking or popping in the temporomandibular joints on one side or both sides.
- Headaches.
- Jaw pain.
- Tooth fracture.
Some individuals may experience intense pain during jaw movement due to a minor adjustment in the temporomandibular joint.
It is recommended for individuals with temporomandibular disorder to avoid chewing gum altogether. It is advised that individuals without this condition limit their daily gum chewing to under 15 minutes to prevent any potential problems.