Russian dentist Elena Martinova has revealed that regularly chewing gum for more than three minutes can cause various health issues, including gastritis, tooth erosion, tooth misalignment, and malocclusion. In an interview with Gazeta.Ru, the dentist points out that the base of gum is an inedible rubbery substance to which flavors and sweeteners, such as cane sugar, beet sugar, corn syrup, and fragrances, are added. During chewing, its size practically does not change, but all the added substances gradually dissolve, leaving only the rubbery material.
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, it is preferable to choose sugar-free gum. She says: "When chewing gum, saliva secretion increases significantly because the brain perceives it as food. If chewing continues for more than three minutes, the stomach secretes a considerable amount of hydrochloric acid and gastric juice. If this habit becomes regular and a person chews gum several times a day, it may lead to increased acidity, gastritis, and erosion."
The dentist recommends not chewing gum on an empty stomach. Additionally, chewing a large amount of sugar-free gum can cause digestive disturbances. Furthermore, regular and prolonged gum chewing can trigger headaches in individuals prone to migraines. An allergic reaction to the flavors and colorants in gum can also often develop.
She states: "If a person enjoys chewing gum, it is best to opt for gum with xylitol (a sugar alcohol), but only for short-term use. It's important to remember that menthol provides a temporary feeling of fresh breath. Furthermore, chewing gum does not help prevent tooth decay and gum diseases and does not replace regular oral cleaning, which entails brushing teeth twice a day."
