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There are several things we do carelessly without giving a second thought, like chewing gum for instance, but is chewing gum bad for you, read on to know!
You’ll get many opinions on asking various people about their reasons for chewing gum.
Is Chewing Gum Bad for You?
For decades, individuals from every age group are prone to chewing gums.1 However, the beginning of this trend came about in 1848.
John B. Curtis invented and introduced the first sample of bubble gum on the market. His formula of gums was named the State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum. Whereupon, the development in the production continued.
Regardless of history, today, modern chewing gums are produced synthetically. It is composed of flavours, gum-based chemicals, colours, and softeners, making the gum more efficient to chew.
To answer Is chewing gum bad for you, let’s deep dive into the history behind manufacturing chewing gums.2
A Quick Rundown to History
The evolution of this trend began in the Neolithic age when gums were made out of birch bark tar.
With the rise in demand, ancient Greece was recorded as the supplier of many other forms of gums. The gum was produced from the mastic tree, similar to the Birchbark tar.
By adding taste, the first flavoured chewing gum was made in the 1860s. John Colgan, the inventor, added powdered sugar, with a fragrant taste called tolu, and created small sticks of chewing gums.
The sticks were named taffy tolu and massively distributed by Colgan Gum Company.
With the ending to natural chewing gums, the first modern chewing gum came with synthetically produced ingredients. Synthetic gums grew appealing in the United States.
By the 1960s, the production was entirely synthesized, based upon rubber gums manufacturers.
Resulting of this, a big question arises. Is chewing gum bad for you? What silent effects are we having on our health?
Ingredients in Formation of Modern Gums
- Gum: This ingredient is weighted for 25-35% in the formulation. It is a non-digestible, rubber-based component that gives a sticky texture to chewing gum. Resin, elastomer, and wax are the three essential components that combine to form a gum base.
- Sweeteners: One of the most appetizing ingredients in the process is sweeteners. These can be artificial as well as natural. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame are dissolved from 0.05% to 0.5%.
Whereas natural sweeteners, on the other hand, are used 40-50%. Sugar canes, xylitol, and corn syrups are some examples of sweeteners.
- Softeners: To increase the chewing ability of the gums and make them soft, softeners are used from 1-2%. (Is chewing gum bad for you?)
- Flavouring: It is used about 1.5 to 3% for taste and different flavours. Flavouring can be natural or synthetic. Some of the popular flavours are peppermint and spearmint. (Is chewing gum bad for you?)
Is Chewing Gum Bad for You?
We read that the production of potential chewing gums is made using both artificial as well natural products. However, depending upon the amount of usage, the gums may differ.
Chewing gums in itself is not a healthy habit to develop. So, we may compromise our health. If you wish on chewing gums, always approach sugar-free gums.
Sugar-free gums are the best fruitful ways to continue your habit, considering your health too. To have a clear vision for this answer, let’s understand the pros and cons of chewing gum.3
Health Benefits of Chewing Sugar-Free Gums
Blocking Bad Breath
Bad smell is always a concerning factor for everyone. It may become shameful for being pointed for yellow teeth and bad breath as you may have observed that strong-smelling food like onion, and garlic, leaves a foul odour and taste in your mouth.
Even brushing your teeth isn’t sufficient to get rid of it.
So what’s the resulting solution? Flavoured chewing gums that are sugar-free can conceal your mouth with freshness and aromatic odour.
Say Cheese with White Teeth
It is wondrous to know that small chewing habits can give so many availing results to your dental condition. Besides controlling bad breath, it also helps in whitening your teeth.
Many whitening chewing gums are available that are taken after the meal to remove the yellow coating over your teeth. Is chewing gum bad for you?
Find out more about healthy teeth.
Fat Reduction
Can a small piece of gum help in reducing fat? Yes. A study claims that gums after lunch decrease the hunger and urge for extra snacks and meals.
Interestingly, not only is body weight compromised, but you can reduce your facial fat too. The continuous running mouth results in fat diminution and an effective glow in the jawline.
Hence, people attributing to various chemical treatments can opt for this natural way to get a highlighted jawline.
Quit Smoking with Ease
Nicotine gum is known as one of the best ways to overcome your false smoking habits. Smoking is prominently a massive health issue to us.
People do various practices to get rid of this problem. Recommended by a dentist, this is the easiest way to drop smoking.
Several Drawbacks of Gums
Triggers Headaches
Some of the studies show that individuals, especially teens, have experienced headaches and migraines. Due to excessive munching, the nerves are affected, directly impacting the brain and then severe migraines.
Did you know: Around 187 billion chewing gums are chewed for at least 30 minutes?
Jaw Disorders
To get a smooth and slender face cut, people usually neglect the side effects caused due 4to gums. Out of which is TMJ, which is Temporomandibular Joint, where your jawline is attached to your skull.
The disorder results in muscle fatigue and imbalance between the jaw and skull. Therefore, it’s recommended that excessive use of something is not fruitful.
Undermining Your Oral Health
Dentists suggest sugar-free gums. While you may keep away from a portion of the potential traps accompanying fake sugars, you may put yourself in an expanded danger of creating cavities due to presenting your teeth to sugar for a delayed timeframe.
Can Turn Out an Addiction
Healthy habits are good until only it turns into a continuous process of addiction. Some individuals, especially teens and adults, develop a continuous chewing habit of bubble gums.
Leading to a dangerous disease, this habit may put your health at risk.
Hence, it is necessary to note that chewing gum under limitations is good for your health. To know more about addiction, click here!
More About Chewing Gums – Facts & Stats
#1 An Old Gum Brands that is marked Evergreen
Juicy Fruit and Wrigley’s Spearmint, launched by William Wrigley Jr in 1893, still rule over supermarkets in the United States.
Wrigley was found as an early expert advertiser, sending free gum tests to various individuals and kids on their birthday celebrations.
#2 Falling in the records of Guinness Books
Yes, there’s a large corner for bubble gums in the Guinness Book of world records. The biggest gum blown was 20 inches long.
#3 Singapore prohibited Gums
In 1992, the popular Asian country Singapore banned the sale of gums. After which, a big question arises- Is chewing gum bad for you?
#4 Consumptions of Bubble gums in Bulks
More than 10000 tons of gums are used every year. Moreover, 375 trillion chewing sticks are made every year.
#5 This happens after swallowing gums
Is chewing gum bad for you when swallowed? People generally get afraid when they accidentally swallow bubble gums. However, it’s not troublesome.
The swallow gum will remain in your intestines. After a few days, it will be excreted through your system.
#6 Pink- The first coloured bubble gum
The first coloured bubble gum was invented with the colour pink. A red flavour was added to the gum, which slightly turns to pink colour.
#7 The Biggest Production of Gums
Surprisingly, being the inventor of chewing gums, the United States is the second-largest producer of gums.
The first position is held by Turkey, hence known as the production house of Bubble Gums.
#8 Bubble Gum is the Recipe for Concentration
Chewing gum helps you to concentrate on your work. It also boosts your memory and lets your mind remember things for a long time.
What do we Understand?
How much is the oral health affected due to chewing gums leads us to the question – Is chewing gum bad for you?
Well, the answer is both yes and no. Yes, chewing gum is a bane for all. Nevertheless, chewing a piece of sugar-free gum is a healthy choice.
There are options to neglect chewing gums or chewing gums at your risk. But, finding a midway solution is somewhere a good choice for all.
Your oral health is vital as it is the doorway to your body. Hence, it is crucial to figure out what is working for your teeth and what’s not.
There are times when sugar-free gums themselves do not work well for your teeth. Hence, it claims that sugar-free gums are also not completely reliable for your teeth. You cannot rely on sugar-free gums entirely.
EndNote
Overall, chewing sugar-free gums appropriately is the best solution as it does not indicate any harmful effects to your dental as well as your body. But even these must be consumed only in moderation.
Proofread by:
Dr. Foram Bhuta
Dentist (B.D.S)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-foram-bhuta-543b0a215
https://www.facebook.com/foram.p.bhuta/
- Tabrizi, Reza, et al. “Does gum chewing increase the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in individuals with gum chewing habits?.” Journal of Craniofacial Surgery 25.5 (2014): 1818-1821. ↩︎
- Jadhav, A. V., and S. K. Mohite. “A comprehensive review on: medicated chewing gum.” Journal of Current Pharma Research 4.3 (2014): 1215. ↩︎
- Jacobsen, Jette, Lona L. Christrup, and Niels-Henrik Jensen. “Medicated chewing gum: Pros and Cons.” American journal of drug delivery 2 (2004): 75-88. ↩︎
- Buescher, Jennifer J. “Temporomandibular joint disorders.” American family physician 76.10 (2007): 1477-1482. ↩︎
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
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