Licorice is an herb that lends flavor to many foods and beverages. The plant’s roots are used in traditional medicine to treat a wide variety of disorders, including gastrointestinal complaints, bronchitis, tuberculosis, malaria, osteoarthritis, liver disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Plaque, which leads to gum disease and cavities, can irritate your gum line and result in painful gums while exercising. The jarring your mouth experiences during running can cause your gums to hurt, for example; a dry mouth resulting from heavier breathing during exertion may also exacerbate the problems.

Peppermint candies are not all created equal, but you can bet the primary ingredient is going to be sugar. Sugar tops the list, although the other ingredients and use of color vary by candy type and manufacturer. Despite individual brand differences and sugar, peppermint candy is generally fat- and cholesterol-free.

Most people like to indulge in a candy bar now and then, but doing so regularly has negative effects on your health. Candy is high in sugar and many types also contain unhealthy amounts of fat and calories. Sweets often contain no nutrients, making them empty calories that contribute to health problems.

Dental pain can make your life miserable. Eating and talking can be difficult when your mouth hurts. Chipped teeth, swollen gums, and sensitivity to hot and cold are relatively common dental complaints. Aches and pain in the jawbone and gums are also common discomforts.

Black licorice candy is chewy and has a semi-firm consistency. It is flavored with licorice root extract that comes from the licorice plant. American licorice is a native, perennial legume that grows in temperate climates of North America, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Bad breath, lack of concentration, dieting and sheer habit are several reasons people chew gum. You may find yourself craving gum throughout the day. Gum addicts commonly chew one or more packs of gum in a 24-hour-period. Constant gum chewing causes aching jaws, dental problems and bloating.

Mentos, the self-proclaimed “FreshMaker,” originated as a hard mint with a chewy center. Over the years, Mentos has evolved to include fruit flavors, sour flavors, sugar-free options and mint gum.

One of the most common uses for peppermint oil is as a flavoring for various types of candies, including mints, candy canes, peppermint sticks and chocolate confections.

Saliva keeps microbe colonies in check. Without adequate amounts of saliva, microbes that cause gum disease can colonize the mouth, contributing to receding gum lines. Mouthwashes that contain harsh chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate or alcohol contribute to a decrease in the amount of saliva your produce.

The early predecessor to chewing gum, spruce gum, was popular in the early 1800s and was cut from the spruce tree, according to the Wrigley's website. Today, chewing gum is sweetened and made in a variety of flavors.