Dentist Yelena Martynova revealed that regularly chewing gum for more than three minutes can cause various health problems, including gastritis, gastric erosion, misaligned teeth, and malocclusion.
In an interview with Gazeta.Ru, she explained that chewing gum is essentially an inedible rubbery substance with added flavorings and sweeteners, such as cane sugar, beet sugar, corn syrup, and aromatics. While chewing, the gum itself doesn't change volume, but all the added ingredients gradually dissolve, leaving only the rubbery substance behind.
According to her, the most dangerous types of gum are those containing sugar, as they promote the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay and disrupt the bacterial balance in the oral cavity. Therefore, she recommends choosing sugar-free gum.
She added, "When chewing gum, saliva production increases significantly because the brain perceives it as food. If chewing continues for more than three minutes, the stomach secretes a large amount of hydrochloric acid and gastric juices." If this habit becomes regular and a person chews gum several times a day, it can lead to increased acidity, gastritis, and gastric erosion.
The doctor advised against chewing gum on an empty stomach. Chewing large amounts of sugar-free gum can also cause digestive upset.
Regular and prolonged gum chewing can trigger headaches in people prone to migraines. Allergic reactions to the flavors and dyes in gum can also develop.
She continued, "If someone enjoys chewing gum, it's best to opt for gum containing xylitol (a sugar alcohol). However, this should only be used for short-term purposes. It's also important to remember that menthol provides a temporary feeling of fresh breath. Furthermore, chewing gum itself does not prevent tooth decay or gum disease, nor does it replace regular oral hygiene, which consists of brushing your teeth twice a day."