Does chewing gum, our convenient grab-and-go breath freshener, have more to offer us than just clean breath? It sure does! With the ever-increasing variety of flavors and brands, chewing gum is becoming well-known for many increasing health benefits as well as a healthy substitute to many unhealthy lifestyles. Gum can be used as a trick to cut off hunger in people trying to loose weight, and is also a healthy alternative to smoking with several types of nicotine chewing gum now available at drug stores. Chewing gum is also becoming known for several other health benefits, both mental and physical. Researchers have discovered that chewing gum can aid in concentration, so the next time you take a difficult test, it may be helpful to grab a piece of Winterfresh before class. Gum also helps to keep you alert, as researchers have discovered from working with truck drivers. What they use to help stay awake during a late-night drive can also come in handy for students during an especially boring lecture. Gum also relieves tension, so chew some Doublemint while you study and let the stress melt away. Not only does gum offer all these great benefits, it is also good for your oral health. The Federal Dental Association recommends using a sugar free chewing gum regularly after meals to promote tooth and gum health. By chewing gum after eating, you can neutralize and wash away acids that are produced from foods. Over time, this acid can break down tooth enamel, so chewing gum can help you avoid this problem by strengthening enamel and protecting you from tooth decay. While the FDA insists that gum is not a substitute for brushing your teeth daily, the FDA agrees that it is definitely a better alternative to skip brushing altogether. Gum has also been proven to stop plaque formation on teeth and encourage remineralization of teeth to keep them strong. With the new varieties of whitening gums out on the market, you no longer have to test out those expensive whitening strips and gels on your teeth: just chew gum to keep your smile bright. The best part about gum is that it is cheap and comes in many varieties. Some tasty new flavors to try are Orbit Citrusmint, Trident Tropical Twist and Extra Cool Watermelon.