In a study conducted in 2019 on a sample of over 3,000 adolescents and adults in the US, 62% of them said they have chewed gum in the last six months and, on average, chewed about one piece per day.
Experts say that gum chewing can affect different parts of the body – in positive and negative ways, writes The New York Times.
Potential benefits
A better oral health. Chewing a piece of gum stimulates the production of saliva, which can protect your teeth by neutralizing the acidity in the mouth, explained Dr. Peter Arsenault, dentist and professor at the School of Dental Medicine of Tufts.
Similar to brushing, the movement of the chewing gum inside the mouth can also remove the pieces of food and the toothpaste and around the gums, said Dr. Arsenault. The additional saliva, he added, can also improve your breath, because the ugly breathing is exacerbated by a dry mouth.
The variants of gum without sugar are generally better for teeth than those made with sugar, which feed the bacteria that can cause tooth decay. Gum made with xylitol, a sugar replacement, can provide additional dental benefits, as it can reduce bacteria that cause caries. In a 2022 meta-analysis of 30 studies, the researchers found that chewing gum with xylitol (or consumption of chocolates with xylitol) three to five times a day, after meals, could reduce the risk of cavities by 17%.
Fewer gastric burns. When swallowed, the saliva that occurs after chewing gum can help neutralize the acid in the esophagus, leading to fewer symptoms of heartburn, explained Dr. Aditi Stanton, gastroenterologist in Cincinnati. There are few research on this topic, but in a study conducted in 2005 on 31 people who were prone to gastric reflux, the researchers found that chewing gum without sugar for 30 minutes, after consuming foods that induce gastric burns, has reduced the level of acid in the esophagus.
Improvement of cognition and reduce stress. More research is needed, but some limited evidence suggests that chewing gum can help some people focus and learn. In a 2018 study conducted on 40 adults, the researchers found that those who chewed gum while presenting physiology lessons had better results in subsequent tests than those who did not chew gum.
Other evidence suggests that gum chewing can improve the mood and could alleviate stress, at least in the short term – similar to how some people shake their feet or go through their hair when they are nervous, said Jenna Watson, therapist in Orlando, Florida, who focuses on stress and exhaustion.
Researchers do not know why this can happen, but there is some evidence that gum chewing can activate different parts of the brain by increasing blood flow to those regions.
Potential negative parts
Problems of the jaw. Chewing gum can exacerbate the mandibular problems of people prone to diseases or injuries of the temporo-mandibular joint, or ATM, which link the skull jaw, said Dr. Arsenault. This category includes people who grind or grin their teeth. Chewing gum can get tired of the jaw muscles and can lead to focus, headaches and fatigue of the facial muscles, he said.
In order to balance the benefits for oral health with the potential problems of the jaw, Dr. Arsenault recommends chewing the gum only for short periods after the meal – for example, for 15 to 20 minutes. However, if you have an injury or an ATM condition, it would be desirable to avoid the gum chewing, the doctor added.
Digestive problems. While chewing a piece of gum can help with acid reflux symptoms in some people, the habit can actually worsen these symptoms for others, said Dr. Stanton. In some cases, gum chewing can relax the inferior esophageal sphincter, a muscle from the base of the esophagus that prevents the acid in it. When the acid enters the esophagus, it can lead to symptoms of gastric burns.
When people chew gum, especially if they do it energetically or quickly, they can also swallow air, which can cause bloating or gas, said Dr. Stanton. Also, regular sugar substitutes for gums, such as xylitol and sorbitol, “can have laxative effects,” she added, thus increasing the risk of diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps or bloating.
Microplastic exposure. Many gums are manufactured using plastics such as polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate, said Dr. Arsenault. This helps to provide gum elasticity. Although more research is required, a study presented recently at a conference has found that these plastics can be released in our mouths, but it is not clear how this is affecting this health, said Katrina Korfmacher, researcher in the field of environment at the University Medical Center.
The new study suggests that most of these plastics are released from the gum in just a few minutes, so if you tend to spit gum and start a new piece as soon as it loses its aroma, it would be better to stay with the same piece as long as possible.
And, added Dr. Korfmacher, to be a good defender of the environment, “make sure you do not throw it on the floor.”
Chewing gum – illustrative photography. Source: Dreamstime.com
