Why chew gum?
Humans have chewed gum, in one form or another, since ancient times. Originally intended as a means of teeth cleaning, the original gum was sap from various trees, but it has since evolved into the mass consumer product we all know. When dentistry was in its early stages of development, it was discovered that sugary chewing gum was causing teeth to rot and create additional oral health issues.
Sugar-free chewing gum
Seemingly harmless by comparison, sugar-free gum debuted on the market in the 1950s as an alternative to its dangerously sugary counterpart. At first, it appeared that a worry-free replacement had arrived, allowing people to chew without the teeth-rotting repercussions. Unfortunately, science had yet to catch up to the new problems this alternative was creating. Since the beginning, sugar-free gum has been sweetened with aspartame, a controversial synthetic chemical that is hard for the body to digest. Aspartame is now under the microscope for causing everything from minor health problems like dizziness, digestive distress, and mood swings, to more serious afflictions like Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, ADD, Parkinson’s disease, birth defects, and more. Dr. David Brownstein, a family physician and author of the Natural Way to Health newsletter, has been quoted as saying that artificial sweeteners including aspartame are known to cause neurological problems, autoimmune disorders, and probably cancer.
A better option
Xlear, Inc has created a sugar-free gum recipe that is praised by doctors and dentists alike since it does not use the traditional aspartame sweetener. Developed in the light of hard scientific research, Spry gum has become a game changer for gum chewers concerned with the side effects of aspartame. Spry Dental Defense xylitol chewing gum is the leading choice in sugar-free gum. Xylitol is a natural alternative to sugar that is found in many fruits and plants, and is even produced by the human body in small amounts. Not only does xylitol provide a sweet flavor, but it also acts as a defensive shield, protecting the teeth from harmful bacteria that can cause cavities and other problems. Xylitol has a cleansing effect on the whole mouth while delivering a refreshing blast of natural flavors.
Why you should stick with Spry
The other surprising thing in the chewing gum space is that a few companies are going back to using sugar, which in chewing gum is arguably worse than any of the chemical sweeteners. Whether you call it organic sugar, evaporated cane juice, or fructose, these 6-carbon sweeteners still feed the bacteria that cause our teeth to rot, and the fancy names don’t change that.
If you are one of the millions who still enjoy chewing gum, but want to avoid the harmful effects of sugar or aspartame, choose a gum like Spry. Their safe, sugar-free gum offers a traditional treat with a natural twist, so the whole family can enjoy, without wondering what it will do to their teeth!
