- Make It Yourself Lavender Heart-Shaped Bath Bombs!
- 20 Things You Never Knew About “Down There”
- 12 Best Foods For Those Suffering From Arthritis Pain
- 12 Personal Hygiene Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes (Mom Never Told You About #4!)
- 15 Medicinal Plants And Herbs From The Cherokee People
- 12 Mind-Blowing Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy
- 12 Outstanding Winter Foods That Won’t Fatten You Up Like A Christmas Turkey
10 of the Most Disgusting Things You Never Knew about This One Habit
Photo credit: bigstock.com
9. Tooth Decay (even with sugarless gum)
You probably already know that chewing regular gum that contains sugar is like giving your teeth a constant sugar bath, which can cause cavities if you don’t brush as soon as you have finished your gum. However, even those who choose those sugar free gums still risk damage to their teeth because these chewing gums still have acidic flavorings and other ingredients, such as preservatives, that erode the tooth surface. Dental erosion caused by these ingredients is a process of decalcification of the tooth, which over time, is literally dissolving your teeth bit by bit. How attractive that sounds.
SEE ALSO: Make Your Own Gummy Chews that Beat the Flu
10. It Doesn’t Really Give You Minty Fresh Breath
Although when you first pop that stick of gum into your mouth, it really does feel and taste fresh, but you should know that you really aren’t making your breath fresher, you are only covering it up. This is sort of the same reason why people started putting flowers on coffins, to hide the smell. Using chewing gum for better smelling breath only covers up the smell, but it doesn’t really address the cause. Bad breath usually comes from poor dental hygiene, decaying teeth, or digestive problems, all of which are problems you should take care of, not cover up.
If all of this sounds pretty disgusting and unhealthy, you are right. Although some people find kicking the gum habit difficult, it’s not nearly as hard as quitting smoking.
Instead of gum, try fennel seeds. Fennel seeds are nothing new and they have been used in many parts of the world for hundreds of years to improve digestion, stop heart burn and indigestion, and freshen your breath naturally. These are sold almost everywhere and you can keep a small bottle in your purse or pocket. Chewing just a small amount (about ½ a teaspoon) after a meal (you swallow these seeds, unlike gum) will make your mouth feel fresh and clean and improve your digestion, unlike gum.
Fennel seeds can be the answer you are looking for. Try reaching for them instead of a stick of that gross gum. Your body and your teeth will thank you!
References:
