A recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that a single piece of gum can eliminate 100 million bacteria in the mouth, accounting for about 10% of the total bacteria in saliva.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, had volunteers chew two types of unnamed gum. The chewed gum was then tested, and the results showed that one piece of gum, chewed for 10 minutes, could adsorb about 100 million bacteria. The researchers stated that chewing gum can effectively clean the mouth, but there is a trick to it: the effect is strongest in the first 30 seconds. The study found that after 30 seconds, the gum's ability to adsorb bacteria gradually decreases, and its effectiveness in cleaning the mouth begins to diminish.
Sugar-containing gum can be counterproductive. Only sugar-free gum can effectively remove oral bacteria, while sugary gum can feed bacteria, "helping the villain." Chewing gum should not exceed 10 minutes. Chewing gum for too long will change its structure, reducing the hardness of the gum and affecting its ability to adhere to bacteria, causing the adsorbed bacteria to be released back into the mouth. Prolonged chewing can also lead to a dry mouth, which is conducive to bacterial growth. It is recommended that each session of chewing gum should be within 10 minutes, with a maximum of no more than 15 minutes.