Chewing gum can cause wrinkles--experts

Dr. Joel Schlessinger, a dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon in Omaha, Neb. stated, "Many of my patients who are gum chewers have a certain pattern of wrinkles around their mouth. And I think the gum is responsible to some degree for it."

Though there are no certified clinical studies to establish the association, some experts now believe chewing gum promotes muscle overuse that potentially breaks down support tissue within the skin, thus contributing to the loss of skin elasticity and causing lines and folds to emerge around the mouth.

Additionally, the habit makes the anti-wrinkling facial fillers like Restylane, injected into the face to plump up wrinkles, less effective by dislodging them.

Schlessinger says, “The act of chewing gum can dislodge the fillers earlier. It actually pushes them out of the area. They dissipate a lot quicker in gum chewers in my opinion.”

The theory debatable
However, there are some that find the theory absurd. According to renowned plastic surgeon Gregg Anigain of Forest Park Medical Center wrinkles around the mouth are primarily related to age and caused by excessive exposure to the sun.

He stated, "A 14 year old girls can chew gum every day, a pack of gum every day for a year and when she's fifteen, she's not going to have wrinkles around her mouth. Age causes wrinkles.”

He added, "These lip lines go up and down and straight because our mouth is beginning to suck in, that's when those changes occur. Chewing is ancillary to that, it's not the cause."

However, he too concedes that gum can displace facial fillers often used to smooth out fine lines.

Moderate chewing of gum may be the solution. Dr. Joel Schlessinger states, "We're not talking about the occasional gum chewer. We're talking about the person who has a habit of chewing gum and is rarely if ever seen without a piece of gum in their mouth.”

Some benefits of chewing gum
Chewing gum is also linked to some health benefits. Beside freshening breath it can relieve boredom, help in stress management, and increase alertness, focus and ability to concentrate.

It is known to improve short term memory, help lose weight, and resist the urge to smoke.

Studies have shown chewing sugar free gum after each meal can prevent tooth decay and cavities.

Dr. Jane Soxman, a pediatric dentist from Allison Park, U.S., declared, “It stimulates salivary flow, assisting with the removal of food residues from the teeth.

"It neutralizes the acid in your mouth. And if you have an early, early cavity, it helps to re mineralize the area and reduce the advancement of tooth decay.”