Chewing gum and teeth
Myths about chewing gum, does it cause cavities, what cleans teeth? Here we tell you what it is about and whether or not there is a benefit.
Chewing gum is made with polyvinyl acetate, a neutral plastic, gum is an insoluble non-nutritive substance that allows it to be chewed for long periods without undergoing changes, another of the elements contained is a sweetener present in beverages and products pharmacists.
Chewing gum has been referred to as possibly harmful by dentists in the past, but this trend has changed since the use of xylitol. Xylitol is a polyol or sugar alcohol, a chemical compound formed by mixing a sugar molecule with an alcohol molecule.
It is characterized by a sweet taste very similar to that of sugar, but with the advantage of having a reduced amount of calories.
Specifically, xylitol contains 40% fewer calories than conventional sugar.
Xylitol is extracted from birch or xylan, a vegetable fiber, this is technically a carbohydrate (sugar), which does not alter blood glucose.
This is the reason why many food products use it as a substitute sweetener for sugar to market their “light” versions.
·Low in calories
·Low in carbohydrates
This item is common on ingredient lists for chewing gum, candy, and even toothpaste.
Prevents cavities.
Tooth decay is a disease caused by bacteria that live in the mouth, it consists of the destruction of the teeth by drilling them and can cause the loss of teeth.
According to several studies, chewing gum with xylitol can help prevent and treat this ailment that already affects around 5 billion people.
It inhibits bacterial growth, mainly of the Streptococcus mutans bacteria, in saliva and biofilm.
·Improves salivary flow.
·Avoid inflammation of the gums.
·Reduces the adherent effect of microorganisms.
·Prevents demineralization of tooth enamel by reducing acid production.
Oral bacteria feed on food debris that remains between the teeth, the xylitol collapses the bacteria preventing them from absorbing glucose and this ends up causing their death.
Various scientific investigations have revealed that the consumption of gum with xylitol can reduce malignant bacteria between 30% and 80%, and cavities between 30% and 85%.
Suitable for diabetic people.
Xylitol does not contain fructose, therefore it does not negatively influence blood glucose and insulin levels, it can be stated with complete confidence that xylitol is a 100% safe substance for people suffering from diabetes.
It is important to note the large difference in the glycemic index (how quickly foods cause spikes in glucose) that exists between xylitol and conventional sugar:
·Xylitol: 7
·Conventional sugar: 60–70
Finally, some studies in rats have revealed promising results regarding the efficacy of xylitol as a treatment for the improvement of diabetes or the reduction of abdominal fat.
Prevents otitis in children.
Otitis is an inflammation of the ear caused by an infection with the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common condition in children of school age and lactation that causes severe pain, fever and hearing disorders.
It is indicated that 5 daily doses of 8–10g of xylitol in the form of gum or syrup can reduce cases of acute otitis media in children by up to 40%.
Side effects.
Xylitol does not present health risks most people tolerate it, in some cases it can present adverse effects when ingested in large quantities, (diarrhea, abdominal distention) but they stop when its use is interrupted
Be cautious with its consumption, take it in moderate and progressive amounts, your body will not experience any negative effects.
References:
Increased bone volume and bone mineral content in xylitol-fed aged rats — PubMed (nih.gov)
