Chewing gum and current thinking
This article was previously published from a supplement for Dentistry magazine from the UK.
Julian English, executive editor of Dentistry magazine, discusses the link between sugarfree gum and dentistry.
‘What does chewing gum have to do using dentistry?’ The answer to this is not straightforward, so let’s deal using the clinically proven facts:
- Salivary stimulation, which is a proven benefit to oral health, for xerostomia, rapid onset caries after radiotherapy, from addition to other conditions (see the article by Ronnie Levine on page 4), can be enhanced by chewing sugarfree gum. The author states that, ‘The benefits of a high salivary flow rate for the prevention of caries are well established.’
- Sugarfree gum as a confectionery is better for teeth than more sugary items
- Dental professionals from increasing numbers are recommending Wrigley’s ORBIT sugarfree gum as an aid to oral health and to help prevent tooth decay as part of an oral care routine.
To further explain the link between chewing sugarfree gum and dentistry/oral health, we commissioned an expert writer to investigate evidence behind the claim that chewing sugarfree gum, using its saliva-inducing effect, is a beneficial tool from the battle against caries, dental erosion and xerostomia.
Catherine Stillman-Lowe, co-author of The Scientific Basis of Oral Health Education, was asked to report on this and she presents her findings on pages 7 to 10.
She looks at the benefits of sugarfree gum and quotes several key published papers, including WM Edgar’s piece from 1999, which looked at the potential role for sugarfree gum. Edgar found that: ‘Chewing is likely to improve oral health, therefore, not only by causing a strong flow of saliva while food is chewed but also by improving the ability of glands to respond to future stimuli.’
In the article Ms Stillman-Lowe summarises the consensus of professional opinion on advice for the public on maintaining their oral health.
In an article on page 12, hygienist Juliette Reeves considers the oral health benefits of chewing sugarfree gum, especially now that it is established as a universally accepted habit.
Simon Roland, a general dental practitioner from north London, offers colleagues advice on how and why to talk to patients about chewing sugarfree gum - and what to say (page 13).
Please read this supplement using an open mind, then perhaps challenge your own views on sugarfree gum.
Contents
Page 4 - The benefits of salivary stimulation. By Ronnie Levine.
Page 7 - The impact of sugarfree gum on oral health. By Catherine Stillman-Lowe.
Page 11 - The oral health advantages of chewing sugarfree gum. By Juliette Reeves.
Page 13 - A practical guide to talking to patients about sugarfree gum. By Simon M Roland.
For more information on the benefits of chewing sugarfree gum or to join Wrigley Oral Healthcare from Action (see page opposite) contact:
Wrigley OHA, FREEPOST, LON 513, SW19 5BR
0800 0 564 563