The Potential Drawbacks
Jaw troubles. Gum chewing may exacerbate jaw problems among people who are prone to issues or injuries with the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, which connects the jawbone to the skull, Dr. Arsenault said. This includes people who grind or clench their teeth. Gum chewing can tire the jaw muscles, and lead to clicking, popping, headaches and facial muscle fatigue, he said.
To balance the oral health benefits with the potential jaw issues, Dr. Arsenault recommended chewing gum for only short periods of time after eating — say, for 15 to 20 minutes. If you have a TMJ injury or disorder, however, you may want to avoid chewing gum completely, he added.
Digestive problems. While chewing a piece of gum can help with acid reflux symptoms in some people, it can actually worsen those symptoms for others, Dr. Stanton said. In some cases, gum chewing can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that prevents acid from entering it. When acid enters the esophagus, it can lead to heartburn symptoms.
When people chew gum, especially if they do so vigorously or rapidly, they may also inadvertently swallow air, which can cause bloating, gas and burping, Dr. Stanton said. Common sugar substitutes in gums, like xylitol and sorbitol, “can have laxative-like effects,” she added, increasing the risk of developing diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping or bloating.
Microplastic exposure. Many gums are made using plastics like polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate, Dr. Arsenault said. This helps give gum its elasticity. Although more research is needed, one study recently presented at a conference found that these plastics can be released into our mouths, but it’s unclear how that affects health, said Katrina Korfmacher, an environmental health researcher at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
