How long can you chew gum: scientists' recommendations may be shocking

Chewing gum can reduce tooth decay - at least that's what popular commercials have been saying for decades. However, it's not all positive. Recent studies have shown that chewing gum for an extended period of time can lead to more than just dental problems.

Dentists recommend chewing gum for a maximum of 15 minutes a day. The Daily Mail provided the details .

While sugar-free gum may actually reduce the risk of tooth decay somewhat, chewing for too long will have just the opposite effect. Frequent chewing of gum can worsen the condition of the temporomandibular joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. These include the mandible and temporal bone. These joints are responsible for chewing, talking, 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 when opening the mouth;
• headache;
• pain and ringing in the ears;
• toothache.

Dr. Khaled Kasem, chief orthodontist and co-founder of Impress in Barcelona, noted that 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," Dr. Kasem told us.

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 cavities and decay.

And finally, about swallowing gum. It would seem that anything can happen, and swallowed gum will come out naturally. But doctors warn that it can lead to many gastrointestinal problems. The stomach cannot break down the gum base - these were the results of a study conducted by ICGA (International Chewing Gum Association). Swallowing gum often causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, it can lead to intestinal blockage.

In addition, a review in the journal CNS & Neurological Disorders found that chewing gum regularly can cause headaches in people who are prone 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, doctor Kasem advises choosing versions without sugar. You can have artificial sweeteners like 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.

Previously OBOZREVATEL told how to whiten teeth at home.

Subscribe toOBOZREVATEL channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest news.