Chewing gum for children: benefits and harms

Dentists really recommend using chewing gum in prevention dental diseasein children. But pediatricians and nutritionists do not recommend starting to use chewing gum before 6 years.

Whether or not to give their children the cud? / pixabay.com

Gum: benefits and harms

1. Chewing gum does not replace daily brushing and removing the food pieces by means of dental floss. Chewing gum helps out when there is no opportunity to brush teeth. But to ignore the daily hygiene doctors advise.
2. Nutritionists in principle not against gum for children from 6 years old, but it is important to watch components. Carefully read the label. Chewing gum aids digestion because salivation normalizes the acid-base balance in the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach and upper regions. It helps to cope with the unpleasant disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, such as acid reflux (its manifestation - heartburn after meals).
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3. Because saliva is slightly alkaline, it neutralizes the acidic environment of the stomach. In addition, the chewing gum without sugar facilitates the burning sensation in the esophagus after a fatty and spicy foods.
4. Chewing gum is not whitens teeth. Neither chewing gum can not lighten the natural color of tooth enamel, even for a couple of tones. And even more so to make snow-white teeth. But it can be used to prevent stains on the teeth from the use of cocoa or tea. Abrasives and other active ingredients in the composition of gum promote more thorough cleansing of the teeth by saliva.
5. Gum helps fight tooth decay. Especially if chew gum for 20 minutes after ingestion. Postprandial mouth acid is formed which destroys the enamel of the teeth and hard tissue. This is due to the activity of bacteria and breakdown of sugars. Chewing gum promotes the production of saliva, which reduces plaque and prevent gum disease. However, this property has only chew sugar-free.
6. Chewing gum helps to cope with stuttering. This was confirmed by the experiments of the Japanese, Australian and British scientists.
7. Chewing gum promotes more spending power. Scientists have noticed: the use of chewing gum children increases calorie consumption by 19%. However, only at that time, until the child chews.
8. By the way, with different flavors of gum (without sugar) weaken the cravings for sweets. Therefore, they are useful even chewing sweet tooth.

Also you will be interested to read this: 4 easy ways to teach a child to chew