CHEWING GUM! Yes or no?

Sometimes professionals advise the use of chewing gum to aid in habit breaking, such as over-eating, or smoking.  Occasionally, though rarely, a medication may be delivered through chewing gum. Certain prescription medications, and the aging process itself, can cause dry mouth. Chewing gum may be recommended to increase salivary flow.

 

However, from a dental perspective, the use of chewing gum is NOT a good idea. Even sugarless chewing gum is not recommended.

The muscles of mastication, (the chewing muscles), the dentition (teeth), and the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are already pretty overworked. By the time we eat, speak, laugh, and make other facial expressions and motions, the teeth, the joint and the muscles of our face, head, and neck have gotten quite a work out.  

 

Chewing gum adds unnecessary motion, tension, stress, and wear to our oral structures. Often TMJ symptoms (joint pain) will disappear upon the cessation of chewing gum. Ruminating tooth pains can disappear when gum chewing is given up. Temporary or even permanent restorations can be damaged or sucked loose buy gum chewing, and certainly appliances like partial dentures can be loosened or moved around in destructive ways. 
 

We would advise using sugar-free lemon drops to aid in breaking oral habits, such as smoking and over-eating, and to help with dry mouth issues, and asking for your medications in the form of a patch or a pill instead of chewing gum. Take it easy on your joint, muscles, and teeth! Your oral structures need to last a lifetime.