By 1920, the average American was chewing 105 sticks of gum a year. At the time of his death in 1932, William Wrigley was worth about half a billion in today’s dollars.

Still, a gum-chewing habit could add up. Based on their findings, the researchers calculated that someone who chews 160 to 180 small sticks of gum per year would ingest about 30,000 microplastic ...

Chewing sugar-free gum, particularly gum made with xylitol, can prevent the bad bacteria associated with tooth decay, according to Healthline. Still, it’s possible to overdo it.