5 The unexpected benefits of chewing gum

Chewing gum does not only help you clean your teeth and make your breath fresher. There are still many unexpected benefits that you will get from chewing gum, both for oral health, body, and mind.

The advantages of chewing gum

Some types of gum contain ingredients that are beneficial for dental health. In addition, the movement of the mouth when chewing will also have an indirect effect on your health.

Here are some of the benefits of chewing gum:

1. Prevent cavities

Chewing gum can trigger saliva production. Saliva will clean leftover food in the cavities of the teeth, neutralize acids produced by bacteria, and carry antibodies to fight germs that cause cavities.

You can get these benefits by chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes every day. You can also choose gum with artificial sweeteners that are safe for your teeth, such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol, or mannitol.

2. Prevent bad breath

Bad breath problems originate from cavities and rotting teeth, dirt in the mouth, and waste substances that result from bacterial digestion. The combination of the three produces chemical compounds that cause unpleasant odors.

Another unexpected benefit of eating chewing gum is preventing bad breath. The increased production of saliva when chewing gum will keep your mouth and teeth clean from bacteria so you avoid bad breath.

3. Improve brain function

Several studies have found that eating chewing gum during activity can improve various brain functions. These functions include alertness, memory, understanding, and the ability to make decisions.

The relationship between the benefits of chewing gum and brain function is not well understood. However, experts believe that chewing gum can increase blood flow to the brain. If blood flow is adequate, the brain can work optimally.

4. Reducing stress and anxiety

Chewing gum can relieve stress and anxiety by reducing the hormone cortisol, which triggers it. In addition, chewing also has a calming effect and naturally reduces anxiety.

Some people may engage in certain habits such as nail biting or trembling when stressed and anxious. Another benefit of chewing gum is that it becomes a substitute for these habits so that you become more relaxed.

5. Prevents acid reflux (stomach acid reflux)

Gastric acid reflux occurs when stomach acid rises into the esophagus, causing irritation of the channel. The main symptoms are burning in the upper stomach and a sour taste in the mouth.

When you eat chewing gum, your saliva production will increase. Increased saliva production can turn the pH of your saliva alkaline and make you swallow more frequently. As a result, stomach acid becomes neutral if it rises into the esophagus so that irritation to the esophagus is reduced.

There are many benefits that you can get from chewing gum. However, make sure you choose sugarless gum and don't chew it excessively.

Too often eating gum can make it worse clicking, or the appearance of a 'clicking' sound when moving the jaw. If you have jaw problems, limit the habit of chewing gum to avoid this side effect.