A Different Kind of School Work

Chewing Gum Stand (Wikimedia Commons)

Love articles like this that upend old notions about what kids (or anyone) can and can't do. A well done study in Finland shows that chewing sugarless gum containing xylitol is good for your teeth and that children should be encouraged to do it several times a day! No more scoldings from teachers about chewing gum, and hopefully kids won't be gumming up the underside of their desks anymore when caught :) And now when the teacher asks you whether you'll share your gum with the class, you can proudly produce extra gum for everyone! Gum, like chocolate, coffee, tea, and a wee bit of alcohol can be therapeutic. Of course, there's always a flip side to any story; it's also possible that gum chewing can erode enamel by increasing mouth acidity, according to a British study. I guess it's all about moderation and finding that sweet spot, literally.