Chewing Gum Health Problems

For ages, chewing gum represented a popular pastime that was used all over the world. From the prehistoric men and women who chowed lumps of tree resin for enjoyment, Ancient Greeks who used tree resin to clean their teeth and freshen their breath, Maya Indians who used gummed chicle, and Europeans and American settlers who used hardened tree sap and beeswax. Sadly, even though chewing gum can undoubtedly have many positive effects, it can also endanger us. Here are some of the most common chewing gum side effects and disadvantages:

Tooth Decay

Sugared gums can, with heavy use, cause tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities. This happens because sugar coats the teeth and can slowly cause damage to tooth enamel if they are not immediately brushed. To reduce the harmful effects of sugared gums, seek out gum brands that use smaller quantities of sugar.

Artificial Sweetener Allergies

Almost all popular sugar brands use artificial sweeteners to make their products longer-lasting, sweeter, or achieve a unique taste. Some artificial sweeteners, especially Aspartame and Sorbitol, can cause an allergic reaction. Others can cause irritation or headaches.

Jaw Stress

Even though many gum manufacturers claim that their products can be used all the time and on any occasion, detailed studies show that chronic use of chewing gums may cause continuous stress on your jaws, and if not regulated, this stress can lead to the condition called Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TJD), manifested with intense facial pain and significant discomfort in the back of the neck.

Stomach Issues

Continuous chewing of gum can increase stress levels in your stomach and intestines. After meals, your stomach mush receives a period of resting time for him to digest food, but chewing and continuous swallowing of saliva interferes with that rest. Stomach issues that can appear in those situations are irritation, aches, and aggravated gastritis. In some cases, you can even develop a gastric ulcer!

Social distraction

In many modern cultures, people have accepted that chewing gum in some social environments (public areas, schools, workplaces, etc.) is distracting and irritating. Please consider what social effects your chewing gum will have on the people around you.

Masseter problems

Frequent chewing of gum can lead to masseter problems resulting from your constant grinding of teeth at night. If you are suffering from JMJ dysfunction, you must consider abandoning gums.

Kidney problems

If the cavities in your teeth are filled with mercury fillings, frequent chewing of gums may cause them to dislodge and release this dangerous material into your metabolism. The most common mercury target is blood, the urinary tract, nerves, and the brain.

Irregular development of facial muscles

Extensive chewing of gum in puberty may lead to stimulating the jawbone and facial muscles and creating a more prominent face.