Osteopath's Tips: What Your Chewing Gum Can Do

The first predecessors of modern chewing gum appeared about 5 thousand years ago in ancient Greece. These were various resins and waxes. In Russia, they also chewed such a special resin - a product that was made from pine resin. It removed food debris, freshened the breath, and there were no harmful substances in it, only natural resin substances that perfectly strengthened the gums and prevented them from bleeding. Wait, there are some manufacturers who make chewing gum using natural resin. But most often modern chewing gum consists of a "rubber" base (usually isoprene rubber obtained from oil), various flavors, flavorings, preservatives and sugar substitutes. The presence of the latter in the composition is always presented as an undoubted advantage (does not contain sugar). However, this is not quite true,after all, the use of sugar substitutes has a number of contraindications.

Of course, chewing gum doesn't whiten your teeth. This requires a serious professional work of the dentist. I think the experience of almost every one of you will tell about it. The purpose of chewing gum is not at all to whiten teeth, or even to freshen breath. First of all, she has a hygienic task. When we chew gum, we grit our teeth and squeeze it. The teeth seem to stick together, then we open them, and due to this suction effect, it removes food debris that has accumulated between the teeth during eating. Chewing gum has no other useful function. It should be chewed immediately after eating for 2-3 minutes - no more. Alternatively, you can use a toothpick or dental floss.

Why is the constant use of chewing gum harmful? Firstly, a kind of vacuum effect is created during chewing. Because of this, fillings, crowns, dental implants, and the teeth themselves can be loosened. At the same time, chewing gum, contrary to the myth, cannot spoil the bite. Secondly, chewing reflexively triggers the secretion of saliva and activates the digestive glands. Everything in our body works like a clock: there is a stimulus - there is a reaction. And if, after prolonged chewing, the body is not allowed to eat, then the consequences in the form of gastritis and other functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract will not be long in coming.

Again, chewing gum has no purpose to eliminate bad breath. Bad odor is caused by diseases of the mouth or gastrointestinal tract, and chewing gum cannot remove it. This symptom is a reason for close examination. However, it happens that bad breath needs to be eliminated right now. Then I recommend using special refreshing sprays, paying attention to their composition. If you still prefer chewing gum to sprays, then choose one that is based on the resin of coniferous trees.