The act of chewing gum dates back to ancient times. According to Merriam Webster, chewing gum is defined as “a type of soft candy that you chew but do not swallow.” The Mayans and Aztecs extracted sap from the sapodilla tree to fight hunger and quench thirst. Native Americans passed on the habit of chewing spruce sap to European settlers. Chewing gum in its various forms has been used in many ways, from habituation to aiding in medical treatment. Although chewing gum causes bloating, it has a positive effect on overall health. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The act of chewing gum reduces the levels of bacteria and harmful acids in the mouth that cause tooth decay. Research conducted by the American Dental Association suggests that “saliva buffers the effects of acids in foods or drinks that might otherwise soften the surface of tooth enamel, and swallowing excess saliva created by stimulation flushes out the acid.” Enamel is defined as the outer layer of each tooth and is the most visible part of the tooth. Saliva production is improved, which helps clear the mouth of food residues and sugars. Without sufficient saliva flow, people are at risk for numerous oral health problems. Although most chewing gum is a sticky, sugary dental mess, sugar-free gum containing the natural sweetener xylitol can improve dental health. Western Dental's chief dental director, Dr. Louis Amendola, said: “The bacteria that contribute to tooth decay, Streptococcus mutans, feed on sucrose, the sugar we eat. As the bacteria multiply, they release acids that lead to tooth decay, but the bacteria cannot digest xylitol, so they cannot multiply or release the acids that cause tooth decay. Xylitol also increases saliva and its pH level, which helps remineralize tooth enamel and fight plaque buildup. Harmful bacteria and acids in the mouth decrease with the use of gum. Although chewing gum can be seen as a social distraction, it can help improve cognitive performance and productivity while working. According to a 2015 study, “chewing gum was associated with increased productivity and a reduction in cognitive errors at work, as well as an increase in cortisol in the morning.” The study recruited one hundred and twenty-six full-time staff at Cardiff University. On the morning of the test day, participants completed mood and attention tasks. They were required to chew ten pieces of gum and encouraged to chew when they felt stressed. After work, they returned to the lab and completed the same tasks as that morning. Accordingly, chewing gum was significantly associated with reporting fewer cognitive problems and lower levels of tardiness at work. This research offers further support for the effects of chewing gum, which is associated with improved attention both with and without cognitive performance. An article in the Journal of Adolescent talked about a study that investigated the effects of chewing gum on standardized math scores in adolescents. Participants included one hundred and eight eighth grade mathematics students. They were randomly divided into a group that was provided with rubber during the test or a control condition without rubber. To assess academic performance, the mathematics sections of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and theWoodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ-III). “Students in the gum-chewing condition improved their standardized test scores and maintained higher grades in math classes than those in the gum-chewing condition.” The findings suggest that gum chewing is a cost-effective and easily implemented method of increasing student performance. Halitosis, also known as bad breath, is affected by the use of chewing gum. Research by the University of Barcelona aimed to estimate the prevalence of halitosis in the young population and to show the effects of chewing gum on the breath. NewsRx journalists suggest: "The use of chewing gum as an adjunct in cases of halitosis decreases VSC, improving the perception of others and the patient." VSC, volatile sulfur compounds are what cause bad breath. The mechanical act of chewing helps remove debris trapped in the teeth. Chewing gum with the natural sweetener xylitol can prevent the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. The gum itself can bring more saliva into your mouth, which will make your mouth naturally feel cooler. Chewing gum is a simple way to reduce bad breath that makes people, especially young people, feel insecure. Chewing gum helps patients feel better after abdominal surgery by reducing nausea and restoring normal bowel function. After an individual has undergone abdominal surgery, the digestive system may completely stop functioning for a few days. This is called paralytic ileus, a common complication of abdominal surgery. Research suggests that “patients who chew gum after surgery experience a more rapid return of peripheral function and eliminate flatulence significantly sooner than those who do not chew gum.” The act of chewing gum tricks your stomach into thinking you are eating food, which increases bowel movements and shortens the period of paralysis. Additionally, paralytic ileus delays bowel improvement and increases hospital stay days. An interventional study took forty volunteer patients undergoing cholecystectomy surgery, the surgical removal of the gallbladder, and randomly separated them into intervention and control groups. “Patients in the intervention group chewed sugar-free gum (Orbit brand manufactured by the Wrigley Company) 3 times a day for 20 minutes each time after full consciousness until oral intake began.” The results of this study showed that chewing sugarless gum after cholecystectomy surgery led to improvements in patients' bowel function and reduced hospital stay time. A common argument for people not to chew gum is that it causes them to swallow excess air which leads to abdominal bloating. While this may be true, it is still important to remember that the health benefits of chewing gum on the abdomen outweigh that argument. Chewing gum leads to the reduction of paralytic ileus and can be used as an economical and useful method for intestinal stimulation. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The benefits of chewing gum extend far beyond the mouth. It helps in body recovery and improves brain function. In today's society people lack confidence due to the perception others may have of them. Teeth are the first thing people see. Chewing gum can help get rid of food in the mouth to make a person's smile clear. It's one way