Luke on MAFS 2026 was rejected by his “bride” Mel because of his chewing gum habit at their “wedding ceremony”. Perhaps that wasn’t the most appropriate use of gum, but does it mean that it’s all bad? Should Power Dental’s patients reject chewing gum?
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/38473094/mafs-australia-groom-spits-gum-altar-gives-to-sister/
There are a number of benefits to chewing gum:
Chewing gum Increases saliva flow which
- Washes away food particles and clears the mouth
- Neutralizes acids in the mouth
- Strengthens enamel and so prevents tooth decay
- Freshens your breath.
These benefits are for everyone, but especially for those with a dry mouth. There are hundreds of medications which cause dry mouth.
Are all chewing gums the same?
The short answer is “no”. The old-fashioned bubble gums and chewing gums all contained a lot of sugar (like Hubba Bubba and Juicy Fruit). As we know sugar causes tooth decay and so, those gums were not good for your teeth.
However, most gums these days are sugar-free and contain Xylitol or Sorbitol (sugar alcohols) which do not break down to feed bacteria in our mouths. Always make sure you use a sugar-free gum.
Any problems with chewing gum?
Nothing in this world is perfect. The potential problems with chewing gum are:
- Chewing sugary gum can cause tooth decay
- Excessive chewing can put strain on the jaw joint (TMJ) and muscles. If a person has a problem in this area it would be better to limit the amount of gum chewing, or in exteremely sensitive individuals, avoid it altogether
- Some individuals react to artificial sweeteners (Sorbitol and Xylitol) and experience bloating and even diarrhoea. Again, those people should limit the amount of gum they chew.
If chewing gum is so good, can I get away with just doing that?
Sadly, no. Chewing reduces plaque and decay but it does not effectively remove plaque and calcified dental calculus (tartar). So, we at Power Dental strongly recommend in addition to gum chewing:
- Brush yourteeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Floss /interdental brush your teeth every day
- Maintain a balanced diet with limnited sugar
- Visit us at Power Dental every 6 months for a regular check up and professional clean.
So, unlike Luke from MAFS, there is no need to feel guilty about chewing gum. It can help keep your breath fesh and mouth healthy, but not on its own. If it’s been more than 6 months since you had a check up at Power Dental, why not make an appointment this week?