How long can you chew gum: scientists' recommendations may be shocking
Chewing gum can reduce tooth decay - at least that's what commercials that have been popular for decades claim. However, not everything is so positive. Recent studies have shown that prolonged gum chewing can lead to more than just dental problems.
Dentists recommend chewing gum for a maximum of 15 minutes a day. The details were reported by the Daily Mail.
Although sugar-free gum can indeed slightly reduce the risk of tooth decay, chewing for too long will have the exact opposite effect and even cause jaw disease. Frequent gum chewing can worsen the condition of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which connect the lower jaw to the skull. These include the lower jaw and temporal bone. These joints are responsible for chewing, speaking, yawning, and swallowing.
Symptoms of jaw disease:
- pain in the jaw, shoulders, neck, or face
- stiffness of the jaw
- difficulty opening or closing the mouth;
- cracking or clicking of the jaw
- headache;
- pain and ringing in the ears;
- toothache.
Dr. Khaled Kasem, chief orthodontist and co-founder of Impress in Barcelona, said he recommends chewing gum for a maximum of 15 minutes.
"With chewing gum, we can reduce acidity, and thus reduce the likelihood of tooth decay," said Dr. Kasem.
However, prolonged chewing, on the contrary, spoils the enamel, the smooth coating around the teeth begins to wear away. This is called demineralization. Teeth with damaged enamel are susceptible to tooth decay and fracture.
And finally, about chewing gum. It would seem that anything can happen, and the swallowed gum will come out naturally. However, doctors warn that this can lead to many gastrointestinal problems. The stomach cannot break down the base of chewing gum - these are the results of research conducted by the ICGA (International Chewing Gum Association). Swallowing gum often causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some cases, it can cause intestinal blockage.
In addition, a review in the journal CNS & Neurological Disorders found that regular chewing of gum can cause headaches in people who are predisposed to it.
Doctors recommend not chewing gum for people with arthritis or osteoporosis, as there is a risk of worsening the conditions.
If you still can't do without chewing gum, Dr. Kasem advises choosing sugar-free options. It is possible that they contain artificial sweeteners such as xylitol and sorbitol. According to research published in the Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, xylitol prevents the growth of harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told you how to whiten your teeth at home.
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