Chewing Gum and Oral Health

Abstract

Chewing gum is one of the most common confectionary products consumed worldwide, especially by the teenagers. Although the roots of chewing gum belongs to the western culture, but it's branches are well embedded into the Indian subcontinent also. There has been an exponential growth in the chewing gum market in India in last ten years. A very simple question, although majority of people would not have had ever thought of it before unfolding the wrapper, “how good or bad is this chewing gum for oral health?” had incited an innumerable studies in this field. Through this article, the author aims to provide the gist of significant studies being carried out till date regarding chewing gums. The objective of this article is to correlate the various facts and fiction sailing in the sea of chewing gum market with scientifically proven results, and help our fellow dentists to guide their patients in deciding “what to chew and what not to chew?”