Top 9 Positive Effects of Frequent Gum Chewing

Who does not like to chew gum? Chewing gum has been a popular habit for decades. It is enjoyed by people all over the globe. People often consider it a pleasant pastime or a way to freshen their breath, but they are unaware of its numerous benefits. You will be amazed by the benefits of frequent chewing gum. Let us look into some positive effects of frequent chewing gum.

Why Chewing Gum?

1. Oral Health Benefits

Your answer to why chew gum lies in the benefits it offers. Maintaining oral hygiene is vital for overall health. Chewing gum acts as a natural cleanser. It washes away the food particles and neutralizes the acids present in the food. It stimulates saliva production. These health benefits help to avoid cavities and prevent gum disease.

People, particularly those aged above 50 complain of dry mouth. Chewing gum stimulates the activity of the salivary gland, and thus helps to relieve dry mouth symptoms. The saliva produced lubricates the mouth and reduces discomfort. However, you should always choose sugar-free chewing gum for this!

This saliva would also help in the remineralization of tooth enamel as it contains essential minerals like calcium and phosphate. It repairs the early stages of tooth decay. It will strengthen the tooth enamel [1].

2. Strengthening of Teeth

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. It leads to tooth decay [2]. Chewing gum stimulates saliva flow, which shows antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Saliva contains lysozyme and lactoferrin. They break down bacterial cell walls. It maintains good oral hygiene by preventing the formation of plaque. It reduces plaque formation. This will ultimately help in strengthening good teeth.

3. Freshens the Breath

Many gum varieties contain flavoring agents like mint or menthol, that leave a fresh taste in the mouth. It masks the unpleasant odours from the oral cavity. Frequent chewing gum maintains a fresh breath. Moreover, the odor-causing bacteria wash away during chewing gum. It will combat bad breath.

4. Post Meal Cleaning

After a meal, food particles stick to the teeth. Chewing gum will wash away these particles and prevent the buildup of plaque. It prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Blood flow in the tooth root increases. It helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. It will aid in the repair and maintenance of oral tissues. If you chew gum with regular brushing, you will see significant improvement in your oral health.

5. Appetite Control and Weight Loss

Do you have a habit of frequently eating? Chewing gum can be your distraction from food cravings. For those looking to manage their weight loss, chewing gum is a good solution! The act of chewing provides sensory satisfaction without the conduction of calories. It will keep your mouth occupied. This way you would eat slower. It contributes to better digestion by the gut. Hence, it will assist you in weight loss.

6. Improves Focus

Chewing gum stimulates the trigeminal nerve. This nerve sends signals to the brain’s arousal centres, It makes you more alert and improves the focus. This happens because of increased blood flow and increased nutrient flow to the brain. During boring or monotonous tasks, or when the brain is active for prolonged periods, chewing gum can enhance the attention span [3]. The repetitive motion of chewing activates the brain regions associated with attention and vigilance. It will make you feel active.

7. Improves Working Memory

Working memory keeps all your information stored. The temporary or permanent holding of information gets better by gum chewing. The rhythmic action of chewing stimulates the neural circuits involved in memory formation. It boosts the functionality of memory-related tasks.

8. Reduces Stress

Chewing gum causes a decrease in cortisol levels in the bloodstream. Cortisol is a stress-causing hormone. It makes your mind feel relaxed and lowers the level of anxiety. Frequent chewing gum is a simple yet effective way of managing stress and anxiety. You can use it to distract your mind from negative thoughts.

9. Enhances Mental Agility

As you have read, your brain performance improves with swallowing gum. This way you can multitask effectively. Your brain activity gets flexible due to the activation of brain parts. Chewing gum will accelerate the speed at which information is processed by the brain, Improved mental agility is beneficial in time-sensitive situations.

Does Chewing Gum Improve Jawline?

A common query by people is if chewing gums can make your jawline sharper. Chewing gum can indeed stimulate the jaw muscles. They move in a rhythmic pattern. This movement enhances their functionality. You cannot get chiselled cheeks if you chew gum daily. It is not the solution to get a square or a larger jawline. However, it will have strengthening effects on your tongue and cheek muscles [4].

Conclusion

Taking chewing gum as a part of your oral hygiene can give you surprising benefits! It will contribute to improved oral health and overall well-being. However, you should always choose sugar-free gum. Chewing gums containing sugar or chemical additives can have negative impacts on your health. Sugar causes dental cavities and excessive caloric intake. The intake of chemical additives also imparts negative health effects.

So, make a wise decision and always choose healthier gums like xylitol-containing gum, aspartame-free or sugar-free gum (or ideally sugar-free chewing gum sweetened with xylitol and without aspartame). You can try some of the best products here!