Krasnoyarsk doctors spoke about the benefits and harms of chewing gum

Specialists from the Krasnoyarsk Medical University told us whether chewing gum is beneficial and which ones will not harm teeth and stomach.

According to Vladimir Chikunov, associate professor of the Department of Children's Diseases of Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, gastroenterologist, chewing gum can be useful for short-term use after meals, but with prolonged and constant chewing it turns into an irritation factor for the digestive system.

“When a person chews gum, the body perceives this as the beginning of a meal and a whole chain of digestive reflexes is activated. The salivary glands begin to work actively – they secrete more saliva, which neutralizes acid in the oral cavity and protects tooth enamel. But at the same time, the stomach and pancreas also “believe” that food is about to arrive, and begin to secrete enzymes and acid. If the stomach is empty, then the acid acts directly on the mucous membrane, irritating it. With frequent or prolonged chewing, this can lead to heartburn and discomfort in the epigastric region. There is no point in chewing for half an hour or an hour, since the body works “idlely,” the facial muscles become overstrained, and sometimes pain or clicking appears in the temporomandibular joint,” says Vladimir Chikunov.

He noted that some gum contains too many acids, flavors and artificial sweeteners, so they can irritate the stomach lining and cause flatulence. But special sugar-free lollipops or chewing gum containing xylitol, which help with salivation, do not irritate the stomach.

“There are quite strict restrictions for children; before 3-4 years of age, chewing gum is not allowed at all: the risk that the child will swallow it or choke is too high. Under 6 years old – only under adult supervision. Sweeteners, which do not cause harm to an adult, can cause bloating or diarrhea in a child, so it is better for young children to do without chewing gum,” Vladimir Chikunov is sure.

The chief physician of the University Center of Dentistry of Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Zhanna Batrak says that the use of chewing gum as a prophylactic means reduces the formation of plaque on the surface of the teeth. But it is important to consider that sugar-containing chewing gum leads to a sharp drop in the pH level in the oral cavity and, in particular, in dental plaque and can cause an increase in the carious process.

“Chewing gum is an essential component in a caries prevention program. Unfortunately, we have a widespread stereotype about its absolute harm. We dentists recommend chewing gum immediately after eating, but not longer than 5 minutes – this time is enough to remove food debris and equalize the pH of the oral cavity with the help of chewing gum. Chewing gum stimulates salivation, increasing the rate of saliva production several times, and this, in turn, also washes away food debris and plays an important role in the mineralization of enamel. An important condition is that the chewing gum must be sugar-free.”

Doctors call constant chewing throughout the day a bad habit. Instead, to prevent caries, it is recommended to simply rinse your mouth with water, or eat a piece of apple or carrot: they both mechanically clean the teeth and stimulate saliva. And of course, regular brushing is still the best way to maintain oral health, which directly impacts stomach health.