why we should be able to chew gum in school?

Answers to why we should be able to chew gum in school

The chewing of gum is said to be the world's most common habit, with about 100,000 tons of it being consumed every year. Most of us are familiar with the negative aspects of chewing gum, when we find it on chairs, stuck under desks or contaminating pavements and therefore our shoes. However, there are also many benefits to chewing gum.

First of all, gum has been proved to help concentrate more so for example, if you were taking a really hard test and you just can't concentrate then chewing the gum will help you. Second of all, gum has been proven to decrease boredom, so if you get really bored in school (which most people do) then the gum will help make school lest boring.

But this answers isn't enough. Let's look at the many benefits of chewing gum....

With year-end exams almost upon us, students across the country are starting to feel the pressure mount. To help them deal with this stressful time, the gum experts at Wrigley have pulled together a few simple tips to help ease the tension and improve study habits. Some may find it surprising that topping the list is the act of chewing gum.

You're probably wondering how chewing gum can help you with your studies. It just seems too easy! Well, there is compelling evidence to suggest that the simple act of chewing gum can help relieve stress and tension and increase focus and concentration.

Research has found that chewing gum stimulates certain areas of the brain (as measured by EEG), which may have a relationship to reducing tension. In addition, one study conducted in 2002 showed that chewing gum appeared to improve people's ability to retain and retrieve information.

So we say: chew away while you're studying for exams this year.

Of course, chewing gum alone isn't enough to get you the top marks in class. There are a number of other simple study tips that can help improve your ability to retain and absorb information. Some of our favourites include:

• Take notes as you read to help process information.
• Study during the time(s) of day you work most efficiently.
• Study where it's quiet and well-lit.
• Prepare for each class as if there may be a pop quiz.
• Get plenty of rest the night before tests.
• Eat well before tests.
• Arrive to tests early.
• Re-read questions before answering them.
• Use the process of elimination when choosing answers on a test.

The popular perception is that chewing gum is bad for the teeth. However, many dentists (one source says 90%!) believe that chewing sugarless gum after meals actually has health benefits! Indeed, Wrigley's Orbit sugar-free gum was the first sugar-free chewing gum to be awarded accreditation by the British Dental Association (BDA) in recognition of its contribution to good oral health. The benefits arise from the fact that tooth decay occurs when essential minerals are dissolved from the tooth enamel by acids produced by the bacteria in plaque. Teeth are at their most vulnerable directly after meals and snacks, when plaque acid levels can rise dramatically.

Normally, it can take up to two hours for these acids to be either flushed away or neutralised, during which time the teeth are under attack. This is why people are extolled to eat something crispy like an apple immediately after meals.

However, chewing gum removes these acids within minutes, thus slowing down the process of tooth decay. One reason for this is that chewing can stimulate saliva production by up to ten-fold, thus flushing out oral bacteria. Furthermore, saliva contains hydrogen carbonate ions, a mild alkali, which serves to neutralise plaque acids. For this reason, hydrogen carbonate is used in some toothpastes. Saliva also contains minerals such as calcium, phosphate and fluoride - all components of tooth enamel - which can be assimilated and thus help to repair early decay and also strengthen tooth enamel.

Another theory is that amylase, an enzyme present in saliva, speeds up the digestion of carbohydrates in food.

Mention has already been made of the fact that chewing gum can be an aid to concentration. One theory behind this is that the action of chewing stimulates a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which releases hormones which serve to keep us alert.

The act of chewing gum also requires some input of energy and, in fact, an extra twelve kilocalories (50kJ) per hour is burned in the process. Thus someone who chewed gum all day, everyday would burn off about 5kg of weight in a year!

Chewing gum when travelling on an aircraft can counteract the irritation caused by changes in air pressure.

To summarise the above....
Improves Concentration
At work, chewing gum helps us concentrate on the task at hand. Many truck drivers find that chewing gum helps them stay alert at the wheel.

Eases Tension
As early as 1939, scientific studies showed how chewing reduces muscular tension and helps people feel more at ease. Because it is so well-recognized for helping stay alert at the same time it eases tension, the U.S. Armed Forces have supplied chewing gum to its soldiers ever since World War I. It is still included in field and combat rations today.

Freshens Breath
Chewing gum, especially a mint-flavored gum like Wrigley's Spearmint or Doublemint, moistens and refreshes the mouth and throat and sweetens the breath.

Provides a Low-calorie Snack
Chewing gum often satisfies the desire for a between-meals snack, yet each stick averages less than 10 calories.

Helps Fight Tooth Decay
After meals, it isn't always convenient to use a toothbrush. Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which helps neutralize acids from foods that may cause tooth decay.

Disclaimer - Answers to the questions are researched using various sources and are meant to increase the knowledge of our visitors. We cannot gurantee the accuracy of answers to questions.

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