02 Apr Chewing Gum—Friend or Foe?

            Popping your ears on a plane ride, relieving stress before a test, preventing mindless snacking—gum comes in handy for these purposes, and many more. Consequently, we chew a lot of gum. The National Library of Medicine reported that some 374 billion pieces of gum are sold worldwide every year. After some calculations, and assuming each piece is chewed for 30 minutes, they report that that represents 187 billion hours of gum-chewing.

            With all that chewing going on, it’s worth asking the question: what does that do to our teeth? Below, we’ll survey how different types of gum impact your teeth, and ultimately answer the question of whether chewing gum is good or bad for your oral health.

The Problem

Gum is sweetened three different ways: with regular sugar, with artificial sweeteners, and with sugar alcohols. As it turns out, the type of gum you chew makes a major impact on whether it’s a friend or foe to your teeth!                    

Dentists cite two main issues with chewing gum: one that applies mainly to gum sweetened with sugar, and one that applies to all chewing gum.

Issue #1: Promoting Tooth Decay

            If the type of gum you’re chewing falls in that first category, sweetened with regular sugar, then you have a problem on your hands: tooth decay. (If you’re chewing sugar-free gum instead, that’s a different story, and we’ll talk about that later.)

        Dentist Karyn Kahn explains how, “Tooth decay occurs because the bacteria in your mouth break down sugar into acid. The acid eats away at the hard enamel surface of your teeth, a process that creates holes in the enamel and pathways for bacteria to infect your tooth’s dentin layer and pulpal tissues. Eventually, as your tooth decays, it may require a root canal to save it.”

            It’s a fairly simple equation: the more sugar you give the bacteria, the more they thrive.

Issue #2: Practicing a Parafunctional Habit

Unfortunately, tooth decay isn’t the only problem chewing gum can have.

When you chew, it’s typically for one goal: to break down your food into easily swallowed and digested pieces. That’s what chewing is for. The trouble is, gum is designed with a different goal in mind. You don’t swallow gum—at least, you’re not supposed to. Your jaw chews without the proper goal of aiding in digestion. This is why dentists call gum chewing “parafunctional.”

            Parafunctional habits are not without consequences. Dr. Kahn says that, “Constant gum chewing puts excessive force on your temporomandibular joints, muscles, and teeth, which leads to overstress, imbalance, and misalignment. This can cause:

·       Clicking or popping in one or both temporomandibular joints

·       Headaches

·       Jaw pain

·       Tooth fracture.”

The fact is, gum chewing does come at a price. It’s important to be aware about the amount and kind of gum you’re consuming, considering the threat it poses to your teeth.

The Benefits

            But, as you may have heard, gum chewing does have its benefits as well.

Benefit #1: Increasing Saliva Production

            Though it may sound gross, maintaining enough saliva is a key part to a healthy mouth. Chewing gum can help you out when it comes to this. The American Dental Association, commonly known as the ADA, says that the mechanical action of chewing gum will increase your saliva flow and volume! This, in turn, can help restore lost minerals in your enamel, neutralize your mouth acid, and fight against plaque.

Benefit #2: Starving Bacteria

            This benefit, of course, does not apply to sugary gum options.

However, if you choose a gum that is sweetened with a sugar alcohol like xylitol, you are in a much better position. Research has shown that bacteria can’t feed on xylitol, making it an optimal choice for your gum chewing needs. The less bacteria can flourish, the healthier your mouth becomes. The ADA says that, “Chewing sugar-free gum may, when added to a regular home oral care routine of twice daily brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and daily cleaning between teeth, contribute to reducing caries [cavities] risk.”

So… Good or Bad?

            The answer is, it depends. If you opt for a sugary gum, then it may boost your saliva levels, which is a good thing, but it will come at the cost of eroding your enamel. It undoes the benefit that it brings. Sugary gums are not bad to enjoy every once in a while, but if gum chewing is a regular habit for you, you’re better off sticking with sugar-free.

            Sugar-free options are, comparatively, the much better choice. And they’re more commonplace than you might think! Clinics report that, “Many of the top chewing gum brands, such as Trident, Dentyne, and Orbit, all make a Xylitol gum; you just have to be on the lookout for it.” If gum chewing is a habit that you rely on, consider switching to a sugar-free choice.

            However, keep in mind that even when chewing sugar-free gum, it’s still classified as a parafunctional habit. Constant chewing can put undue stress on your teeth and jaw and begin to cause trouble. For individuals with TMJ, it’s best to avoid chewing gum entirely so as not to aggravate your condition. If you don’t have a jaw condition like TMJ, says Dr. Khan, then great—let’s keep it that way. Consider limiting your chewing to a small time limit each day, such as fifteen minutes.

            At Athens Family Dental, your healthy teeth are our priority. Speak to your dentist if you are concerned or have any questions about how chewing gum may affect you.

About Our Team

Our team at Bloomingdale Dentistry has over 40 years of experience in the field of dentistry. We have a reputation of excellence in patient treatment and care. 

To learn more about our team, visit our team page.