Benefits from Chewing Gum After Eating
Chewing gum has been around since the Neolithic period and 5000 year old teeth prints have been found in gum that was made from Birch Bark Tar in Finland. Throughout the ages cultures have chewed gum made from various plants, resins and synthetics.
Historically, most gum in this country was made from Spruce and paraffin until 1871 when the Adams New York Chewing Gum dominated the market with gum made from chicle, a natural latex. Some of you may remember Black Jack and Chiclets gums, made by this company. Chicle was used until the 60s when it was replaced by synthetic rubber for cost effectiveness. The gum we chew today is synthetic.
Chewing gum has long been recognized for its antiseptic and breath freshening properties and still is to this day.
Recent studies show that chewing gum for 20 minutes after eating has a cleaning benefit and can reduce decay. This is true more for the sugarless brands.
Xylitol is now what is recommended because of its anticariogenic (decay causing) effects. Many dentists now recommend this product if you have the chewing habit, or if you have a problem producing saliva from a medical condition or drug that you have been prescribed.
For me, I have had a lot of dental work and traditional gums get stuck in my teeth. There are gums like Freedent and Biotene that don’t stick.
Be careful of chewing gum in Singapore. It was outlawed about 20 years ago. Why? It was considered an environmental hazard. The punishments there are frequently physical (like caning), so I’d forget about the gum. By the way, gum is legal in Singapore but it is sold by prescription.