Does Chewing Gum Cause Acne? Facts You Didn’t Know

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Clogged hair follicles bring on skin conditions such as acne due to an accumulation of sebum, dead skin cells, and other oils. Whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples can result from using different products. Many factors may contribute to acne, and no single cause is universally accepted.

Does Chewing Gum Cause Acne? Surprising to hear that some people believe that it can, while others believe there is no link between the two. What is the actual fact? 

Well, chewing gum may cause acne, although this isn’t always the case. Acne patients should avoid it if possible. Chewing gum increases oil production because it stimulates the salivary gland. Clogged pores are often the result of oil buildup, which is a major cause of outbreaks and acne.

What Causes Acne On The Skin?

Acne can be caused by a variety of factors that differ from person to person. However, oil gland blockage is a common occurrence.

Acne on greasy or oily skin is caused by what? Acne can arise when sebum (a naturally occurring oily fluid that lubricates both hair and skin) clogs the hair follicles on oily skin. As bacteria can cause inflammation and infection, acne can become more severe as a result.

Now, what’s the deal with dry skin acne? The oil gland becomes clogged by dead skin cells, even if the oil supply here on dry skin is lower than on oily skin. Acne develops as a result of this obstruction over time.

Skin that is already prone to acne develops new breakouts for no apparent reason. As a result of a poor skincare regimen, sensitive skin is now more inclined to breakouts than it used to be. 

What are your options if you use a product on your skin that creates sensitivity? That’s enough to create breakouts and other skin troubles in that instance. Many chemical components, like silica, sulfate, and paraben, are to blame for sensitive skin acne.

Does Chewing Gum Cause Acne? 

Now, acne and skin irritation are probable side effects of chewing gum. The harmful bacteria of infected teeth can cause acne if it gets on your face. And chewing gum plays an active role here, especially when you enjoy gum popping. Cavities and gingivitis are more prone to cause pimples on the lower cheeks, lips, and chin than on other parts of the body.

Although chewing gum has no such harmful side effects from a broad view, for oily and acne-prone skin, it can be alarming. That is because, on such skin, it increases oil production. Next, it can cause pores to clog and, finally, acne breakouts. 

Chewing gum might worsen your acne, so if you already have it, stop! You can also try chewing some xylitol or peppermint gum to keep your breath fresh and your teeth clean, but we don’t recommend this as a long-term solution. 

Why Does Chewing Gum Cause Acne?

Some research suggests that acne may be triggered by gum or tooth infection. It is due to the fact that pimple-causing bacteria, propionibacterium, are increased in the presence of these infections.

What’s going on within your body may help us understand why you’re getting these acne breakouts. As a result of chewing gum, many people experience an increase in saliva production. Increased salivation wipes away your mouth’s natural oils, resulting in a dry mouth and maybe poor breath.

Additionally, the natural oils of your mouth may be out of balance, which means that your mouth’s bacteria are having to work harder to restore them to their normal levels. The salivary glands create an enzyme called amylase, which aids with digestion. Breaking complex starches and sugars into simpler ones, such as glucose, is what amylase accomplishes in chewing gum. It means that the mouth’s bacteria have more sugar to feed on, leading to a rise in their development.

Does chewing gum affect your skin?

Chewing gum is a pleasurable hobby that many people enjoy every day. But what you may not know is that it can be quite damaging to your health. 

Imogen Bexfield, White Swan Aesthetic’s founder and medical director, says, “Chewing gum can leave you with wrinkles and a squarer jaw, as well as keep chipping away at your teeth.” Moreover, it may lead to breakouts from the extra oil in your mouth, the buildup of bacteria due to not brushing and flossing, and poor oral hygiene.

Chewing gum also encourages the overuse of muscles, which can lead to a protruding jawline (masseter). Overdeveloped masseter muscles, which are located at the inclination of your jaw and regulate your chewing, frequently have a “squared-jawed” appearance.

Skin damage from chewing gum is also caused by carbonation, which can occur cells to die. The presence of carbonation in the body encourages the breakdown of cells and damages them. You can place a towel on your mouth as an effective method while chewing. It will reduce skin damage to a minimum.

How To Prevent Chewing Gum-Causing Skin Damage?

To reduce stress, improve breathing, or because it tastes delicious, many people chew gum. In this article, you’ll learn about the effects of chewing gum on your skin. However, gum damage to the skin can be avoided by following a few simple guidelines. Here they are.

Moisturizers: If you have dry skin, there are moisturizers available that you can use. Applying one of these moisturizers regularly can assist in maintaining healthy skin and preventing dryness and cracking. Moreover, it will help keepng your skin hydrated and avoid dead skin cells to clog your pores.

Lip Balm/oil: Apply lip balm to the lips with a cotton swab that has been dipped in lip balm. Keeping your lips hydrated with lip balm is especially important when your lips are cracked or chapped from chewing gum. Moreover, there are some useful lip oils that you can apply to your lips. These oils will help protect your lips from cracking, chapping, and bleeding.

Rubbing alcohol: As an antibacterial and astringent, rubbing alcohol can help to prevent gum disease. You can preserve your gums healthy and avoid bacterial infections by using rubbing alcohol. Daily rubbing alcohol rinses can be utilized to keep gums in good shape. Moreover, it also treats acne damage.  

If you are interested in maintaining the health of your skin and teeth over the long term, you should know that some safe options require you to abstain from chewing gum. According to Dr. Uchenna, we should keep our gum chewing to no more than 10 minutes at a time. You may use toothpaste that already contains fluoride. This will help to strengthen the teeth and maintain the health of your gums. Needless to say, fluoride is safe for all ages, except newborns. 

FAQs

How many hours should I chew gum? 

After a meal, it’s best to chew immediately. Increased saliva flow speeds up the process of neutralizing acid in the mouth by up to 10-20 minutes. Remember that the plaque begins to re-form within 30 minutes of brushing your teeth.

How much gum is too much?

Chewing at least twenty pieces of gum per day is generally considered to be in the “risk zone” for oral health. 

Conclusion

Now you know what you should do with chewing gum. If you already have acne, avoiding chewing gum is a good decision. But otherwise, to keep your breath fresh while simultaneously keeping your teeth sparkling, we suggest chewing on a piece of “healthy” gum.

Moreover, follow the other acne preventive tips mentioned above to maintain well-hydrated skin.