Chewing Gum Is As Good As Flossing When It Comes To Removing Bacteria, Study Finds | HuffPost Life

Is Chewing Gum Good For Your Teeth?

Rachel Moss— The Huffington Post UK

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If you love chewing gum more than Roald Dahl's Violet Beauregarde, we have good news for you.

Chewing gum benefits your oral health as much as flossing does, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands found that a single piece of gum can trap up to 10% of the bacteria in your mouth.

The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, asked volunteers to chew two commercially available spearmint chewing gums.

Participants were asked to chew gum for varying amounts of time for a maximum of 10 minutes, before swabs of their saliva were taken.

The researchers found that a single piece of gum can trap up to 100 million bacteria, making gum as effective as flossing.

More types of bacteria but in smaller quantities were found in gum that was chewed for a longer period of time, suggesting that bacteria is released back into the mouth during prolonged chewing.

However, the researchers noted that gum doesn't necessarily remove bacteria from all parts of the mouth.

"Chewing however, does not necessarily remove bacteria from the same sites of the dentition as does brushing or flossing, therefore its results may be noticeable on a more long-term than those of brushing or flossing," the study states.

This isn't the first study to suggest gum does something other than beat bad breath. In 2008, an investigation into the effects of gum on mood found that chewing can relieve anxiety, improve alertness and reduce stress during episodes of multitasking.

SEE ALSO:
How To Deal With Bad Breath
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The Secrets To Perfect Teeth

Don't open things with your teeth(01 of13)

Especially bottles or wrappers.Using your teeth as a can opener or chewing on pens, ice, or popcorn kernels can dull and even crack your teeth. (credit:Dmitrijs Dmitrijevs via Getty Images)

Give children water before bed(02 of13)

Don’t let your child go to bed with a bottle in his or her mouth containing anything but plain water. Milk, formula, and juices can cause what’s known as baby bottle tooth decay when they remain on a child’s teeth for extended periods. (credit:PhotoAlto/Ale Ventura via Getty Images)

Don't suck your thumb(03 of13)

Yes, some adults suck their thumbs. But don't, as it will damage tooth alignment. Also dummies (pacifiers) or bottles for children past the age of two are just as bad. (credit:Ulf Borjesson via Getty Images)

Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco(04 of13)

They not only discolor and weaken your teeth but can lead to gum disease and oral cancer. (credit:john_mitropoulos via Getty Images)

Always clean your teeth before bed(05 of13)

Don’t go to sleep without brushing and flossing. The plaque will remain on your teeth for an extended period, making you more vulnerable to gingivitis (gum inflammation). Most research shows that if you disrupt or remove plaque and the bacteria it harbors within twenty-four hours, it does not have time to produce enough acid to damage your teeth. At a minimum, once a day is a must! (credit:Christopher Robbins via Getty Images)

Avoid DIY tooth-whitening products(06 of13)

Avoid using OTC tooth-whitening products without your dentist’s guidance. These tooth-whitening products are not regulated by the FDA or American Dental Association because they’re considered cosmetic, so there’s no guarantee they are safe or effective. Plus you may not be a good candidate for whitening, even if they do work. (credit:Jose Luis Pelaez Inc.. via Getty Images)

Avoid chewing gum and lollipops - unless they're sugar free(07 of13)

Don’t chew gum or suck lollipops all day—unless they are sugar-free. This includes any substance that will bathe your teeth in sugar for extended periods. When it comes to sugar-free products, I recommend you also avoid aspartame because of all the controversy about possible health risks. (credit:Mieke Dalle via Getty Images)

Avoid super-abrasive toothpaste(08 of13)

Sure, it may remove the stain, but it may take part of your tooth along with it. (credit:wsfurlan via Getty Images)

Don't bite your nails(09 of13)

You can wear your teeth down and chip off the edges. (credit:Hans Neleman via Getty Images)

Wear your retainer(10 of13)

Don’t even think about not wearing your retainer after having braces or other orthodontic treatment. Without the retainer, your teeth will almost certainly return to their original place. (credit:Tetra Images via Getty Images)

Don't use somebody else's toothbrush(11 of13)

It harbours foreign bacteria that can harm you. (credit:Adam Gault via Getty Images)

Avoid tongue piercings(12 of13)

Tongue piercing can cause excessive drooling; infection, pain, and swelling; chipped teeth; increased saliva flow; and nerve damage. And in many cases the trauma of the stud or ring gently but repeatedly hitting the lower front teeth can cause the teeth to fall out. (credit:James F. Dean via Getty Images)

Brush and floss before your dental appointment(13 of13)

Never show up to your dentist’s office without brushing and flossing. Brush before you come in! The whole office will appreciate it. (credit:Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images)

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