How long should you chew gum? Science discovers the perfect timing formula
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Chewing gum is a pastime for many, while others use it as a mouth freshener. But have you ever wondered how long it's appropriate to chew gum?
Researchers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands conducted an interesting study a few years ago. The team found that chewing gum isn't just a way to change your taste buds or alleviate boredom but it can also be helpful in oral hygiene provided the timing is maintained—chewing gum is chewed for the correct amount of time.
In this study, five different brands of gum were tested by chewing them for 10 minutes and 30 minutes. It was found that chewing for 10 minutes removed approximately 100 million bacteria from the mouth! However, surprisingly, the effect began to diminish after 30 minutes of chewing.
Let's find out what happens when you chew gum. Scientists suggest that saliva flow increases, which mixes with gum and absorbs bacteria and dead cells. Initially, when gum is most active, it attracts bacteria like a sponge, but as time passes, its ability to trap bacteria decreases. Therefore, chewing gum for 10 minutes is good for your mouth.
Another study by the American Dental Association suggests that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes helps keep teeth clean. However, it's common for chewers to ignore the time and chew for longer periods, especially if they have TMJ (Typical Jaw Joint) problems.
The bottom line from both studies is that the best time to chew gum is between 10 and 20 minutes. This helps maintain oral hygiene, saliva flow and freshen breath. If this time limit is exceeded, it will be ineffective and in some cases even cause damage to the jaw.