Chewing gum was probably first introduced to Europeans in 1518 when the conquistadors invaded the Aztec empire. Perhaps it was discovered several centuries ago when people from the southern Mexican Maya tribe found that chicle, 'or natural rubber, which is a thick milky liquid oozing from the cuts in the bark of wild sapodilla, gradually hardening, turns into a surprisingly tasty gum. In 1788 the botanist W. Bartram described the Cherokee tradition of chewing on plant roots to cleanse teeth and eliminate bad breath.
During the Spanish domination, the long trade routes that carried chicle from the forests to the capital disappeared. The rights to low sugar chewing gum remained with the Mexican forests' inhabitants until about 1870-1880, that is, until it was discovered in America. This event took place at the end of the 19th century, when independently of each other, with a difference of several years, it was created. In the 20th century, the production of low sugar chewing gum developed faster, and one of its most widespread types, it still bears the name of its creator, the American V. Virgil. The development of chemistry, the emergence of new technologies, and new knowledge about oral hygiene prompted chewing gum manufacturers to seek more and more modern forms, ingredients, proportions, and bases. N. Knighton, in 1942 first reported the cleansing effect of chewing gum.
When The First Xylitol Was Based Chewing Gum Produced?
The anti-carious effect of xylitol was first proven by research at the University of Turku in Finland. Since 1975, xylitol, obtained from birch sap and wood, berries, and nutshells, has been introduced into low sugar chewing gum. The first xylitol-based chewing gum, Xylifresh, was produced by the Finnish company Leaf. Currently, the supply of xylitol to the Finnish population, including the use of chewing gums, is included in the program of state dental care.
The introduction of fluoride into the chewing gum (the first gum with fluorine - "Fluorett" - began to be produced by the company "Fertin A / S" in Denmark), - introduction of active components into chewing gums - carbamide, sodium bicarbonate, etc. These factors have expanded the possibilities of low sugar chewing gum, turning them into one way of preventing dental caries.
Modern Chewing Gums Contain the Following Ingredients
Chewing base (to bind all ingredients),
Sweeteners - sugar, corn syrup or sweeteners (sorbitol, maltitol syrup, xylitol, aspartame, acesulfame-k),
Fragrances,
Flavoring additives,
Softeners (to create an appropriate consistency while chewing),
Stabilizers,
Emulsifiers,
Dyes,
Glazing agent,
As well as active ingredients - fluorine, urea, sodium bicarbonate, herbal extracts, etc. In the USA, low sugar chewing gum is patented, which contains 0.1 - 1.0% dry cocoa shell extract, inhibiting glucan synthesis. Most modern sugar substitutes do not release acids during metabolism under the influence of oral microorganisms. A variety of substances represents them. Xylitol2 times sweeter than sugar, has, like sorbitol, a choleretic effect, enhances the secretion of gastric juice, and promotes intestinal peristalsis. Most types of microorganisms do not assimilate it. Products containing xylitol are not subject to microbiological degradation.
Pleasant Taste and a Cooling Sensation in the Mouth
It has a pleasant taste and a cooling sensation in the mouth, stimulates the production of saliva, and contributes to the demineralization of enamel. The anti-carious effect of xylitol was described in the 70s. The theoretical substantiation of its effectiveness is based on the fact that the fermentation of xylitol by a bacterial cell proceeds according to the type of lethal synthesis. Also, there is evidence of xylitol's ability to stimulate the release of additional amounts of lacto peroxidase in saliva. 0.1% saccharin is often used as a flavoring agent... Saccharin is 400-500 times sweeter than sugar. The saccharin sodium salt is often used. Sorbitol is obtained by reducing fructose. Its sweetness is two times less than that of sugar. Aspartame- a dipeptide that is not conducive to the development of caries, indifferent to microorganisms. 150-200 times sweeter than sugar. Carbamide (H2NCONH2) - carbamic acid amide (urea).
She was discovered by the French chemist I. Ruelle in 1773. It is a natural component of blood, muscles, saliva, lymph, milk, and other human fluids and tissues. It is produced synthetically from carbon dioxide and ammonia. Urea, penetrating dental plaque, neutralizes the acid. Urea increases the oral fluid's osmotic pressure, activates ion exchange, accelerating the movement of fluid in the dentinal tubules. Sodium carbonate (baking soda) has a gentle polishing property and the ability to normalize the acid-base balance in the oral cavity, alkalizing its environment.
Sugar-Free Gum Works In The Mouth As Follows:
Increases the rate of salivation compared with the state of rest (provides self-cleaning of the oral cavity, neutralization of acid, the action of protective factors of saliva)
2. It has a beneficial effect on the properties of saliva.
3. It creates an additional load on the masticatory muscles and the periodontium, contributing to a better blood supply to the periodontal tissues and muscles properly.
4. Mechanically cleans the oral cavity (slight cleansing effect of the gum itself).
5. Has a deodorizing effect.
Disadvantage of Using Chewing Gum
The disadvantage of using low sugar chewing gum is gastric juice's active production, significantly adversely acting on an empty stomach. The process of prolonged chewing leads to continuous stimulation of the salivary glands (hyper salivation mode), causing their depletion and the development of pathological dryness of the oral mucosa, its more accessible trauma violation of the protective function of the oral fluid and oral digestion. There are cases of development of tumors of the salivary glands with excessive use of chewing gum. Children who often inflate gums may develop a pathological bite. The chewing gum process is physiologically different from chewing food by the strength and constancy of chewing efforts, a short phase of occlusion, and a more extended phase of opening the mouth, while the action from chewing food gradually decreases.
Simultaneously, in persons with periodontal diseases, an overload of the periodontium, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and hypertrophy of the masticatory muscles are possible. A more comprehensive range of lateral movements of the lower jaw, muscle fatigue, TMJ dysfunction, the development of congestive hyperemia in the periodontal tissues, an increase in the external pressure of the circular muscle of the lips on the teeth. Once a day immediately after meals. However, low sugar chewing gum in no way can replace a toothbrush and dental floss. Chewing gum is not recommended for people with stomach diseases, TMJ. Chewing gum is limited to periodontal disease: temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticatory muscle hypertrophy. A more comprehensive range of lateral movements of the lower jaw, muscle fatigue, TMJ dysfunction, the development of congestive hyperemia in the periodontal tissues, an increase in the external pressure of the circular muscle of the lips on the teeth. Once a day immediately after meals.
However, chewing gum in no way can replace a toothbrush and dental floss. Chewing gum is not recommended for people with stomach diseases, TMJ. Chewing gum is limited to periodontal disease: temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticatory muscle hypertrophy. A more comprehensive range of lateral movements of the lower jaw, muscle fatigue, TMJ dysfunction, the development of congestive hyperemia in the periodontal tissues, an increase in the external pressure of the circular muscle of the lips on the teeth. Once a day immediately after meals. However, low sugar chewing gum in no way can replace a toothbrush and dental floss. Chewing gum is not recommended for people with stomach diseases, TMJ. The use of chewing gum is limited to periodontal disease—an increase in the external pressure of the circular muscle of the lips on the teeth. Given these adverse effects, it is recommended for preventive purposes to chew the gum for no more than 10-15 minutes 3-4 times a day immediately after meals. However, chewing gum in no way can replace a toothbrush and dental floss. Chewing gum is not recommended for people with stomach diseases, TMJ.
How Use of Low Sugar Chewing Gum Is Becoming Popular Now A Days
The use of chewing gum is limited to periodontal disease—an increase in the external pressure of the circular muscle of the lips on the teeth. Given these adverse effects, it is recommended for preventive purposes to chew the gum for no more than 10-15 minutes 3-4 times a day immediately after meals. However, chewing gum in no way can replace a toothbrush and dental floss. Low sugar chewing gum is not recommended for people with stomach diseases, TMJ. The use of chewing gum is limited to periodontal disease. Orbit Sugar-Free Gum (Wrigley's) is the first gum to be recognized by the World Federation of Dentists. They reduce the oral cavity's acid content to a safe level after 20 minutes of chewing, increase saliva production by three times, and contain xylitol. I am regularly using this gum in combination with other hygiene products.
Chewing gums like Dirol (Stimorol) contain 4% xylitol and 1.5-2% carbamide. Dirol White, in addition to the specified components, contains sodium bicarbonate, which provides a slight whitening effect. Dirol Forest Berry contains frozen crushed dried berries, Dirol Effect has a strong deodorizing effect. Chewing gum Biotene contains glucose oxidase, which reduces the content of sugars in the oral fluid. Chewing dragees are similar to chewing gums in terms of their effect on the oral cavity. They are low-calorie sugar-free pills (Dentof resh, Elite). The main impact is deodorizing and stimulating salivation. Dragees usually contain sweeteners (xylitol, sorbitol, aspartame, acesulfame K), fragrances (mint oil, menthol).
Dragee Lacalut contains a safe concentration of sodium fluoride, which acts on the teeth' enamel during the chewing process. Recently, the production of another class of personal hygiene products for the oral cavity has begun to develop - stimulants of saliva formation. They are liquids or tablets containing usually non-pharmacological agents that cause increased saliva production. So, Proxident Mouth Spray liquid (Athena Nordic, Sweden) contains malic acid, carbamide, fluorine, xylitol; SDI saliva stimulator tablets contain mineral salts, xylitol and are similar in composition to natural saliva. Stimulation of saliva secretion contributes to better self-cleaning of the oral cavity, maintenance of optimal acid-base balance due to the functioning of saliva buffer systems.