Do You Tend to Chew Gum When You’re Feeling Nervous and Stressed Out?

Do you tend to chew gum when you’re feeling nervous and stressed out? Do you chew it after every meal instead of brushing your teeth? It would be best for you to stop doing that and we’ll explain why.

1) You eat less fruit and more junk food

Chewing gum before meals is recommendable, because it reduces your cravings and you end up eating less. However, a recent published study denies this claim – it was shown that chewing gum does not affect the intake of calories, and especially peppermint flavored chewing gum increases your cravings for junk food. Researchers believe that eating fruits or veggies after chewing a peppermint flavored gum leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Instead, drink a cup of green tea, which will help reduce your cravings and help you lose weight.

2) Chewing gums can cause jaw pain

Chewing gums can cause the symptoms of Temporomandibular disorder that are accompanied with jaw pain associated with the muscles for chewing and joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. The overuse of any type of muscles or any type of joint can cause pain and problems. It can happen that the jaw, head and neck muscles get contracted, which can lead to headache, and ear and teeth pain. Instead of chewing a gum, eat an apple, that satisfies your need for chewing and at the same time it lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

3) You may be experiencing digestive problems

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder characterized by abdominal pain, cramps and changes in bowel behavior. Chewing a gum can stimulate the occurrence of this syndrome, since the excess air can be swallowed, causing bloating and pain in the abdomen. Moreover, some artificial sweeteners may cause diarrhea in some otherwise healthy people.

4) You can damage your tooth enamel

Chewing gums have artificial sweeteners that can affect negatively on your oral health as well. Those gums with artificial sweeteners can damage your tooth enamel.

5) You’re chewing a byproduct

Lanolin, an ingredient that is to be found in skin care products, maintains the softness of chewing gums. This information won’t baffle you as much as the fact that this substance is obtained by the secretion of the sebaceous gland of sheep. The amount of lanolin isn’t harmful, but it can get uncomfortable if swallowed.

6) You’re letting mercury float by in your body

Silver fillings consist of a combination of mercury, silver and tin. Studies have shown that chewing gum may help in releasing mercury from the filling, which can then enter the body. High levels of mercury can cause neurological problems, chronic illnesses and mental disorders. Fortunately, a small amount which is released from the filling is not so harmful, because it passes easily through the digestive system. But, anyway – do you fancy the idea of having a metal in your body?