News

A new systematic review and meta-analysis into the effect of chewing gum on xerostomia (dry mouth) has been published in the BMC Oral Health journal.

Xerostomia can negatively affect peoples’ quality of life with symptoms including oral dryness; thirst; difficulty speaking, chewing, and swallowing food; oral discomfort; mouth soft tissue soreness and infections; and rampant tooth decay. The objective of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate if gum chewing is an intervention that results in improvements in salivary flow rates and relief from xerostomia.

The review looked at studies focused on elderly people with xerostomia and medically compromised people with xerostomia. A meta-analysis was conducted on studies where measurements of unstimulated whole salivary flow rate for both a gum chewing, and no gum chewing intervention (daily chewing of gum for two weeks or longer) were reported.

The review found that chewing gum can increase unstimulated salivary flow rate in elderly and medically compromised people with xerostomia. Increasing the number of days over which gum is chewed increases the improvement in the rate of salivation. Gum chewing was also linked with improvements in self-reported levels of xerostomia (although it is noted that no significant effects were detected in five of the studies reviewed).

A review article published in The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice by Shankargouda and colleagues has reviewed evidence relating to the oral health benefits of sweeteners, finding that – although cautious intake is recommended – sweeteners can “benefit several health conditions” and that dental caries “are indicated to decline in individuals” consuming these ingredients. The authors conclude that the body of available research in this area shows that “sweeteners act as a majority help to maintain good oral health”.

Sweeteners are used in sugar-free gum to provide a good taste and oral health benefits. Unlike sugar, they do not promote tooth decay because they cannot be broken down by oral bacteria in the mouth. Furthermore, chewing sugar-free chewing gum stimulates saliva which helps to maintain healthy teeth by clearing the mouth of food debris and sugar(s), neutralizing harmful plaque acids, and supporting remineralization of tooth enamel. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) notes that “there is sufficient scientific information to support the claims that intense sweeteners, as all sugar replacers, maintain tooth mineralization by decreasing tooth demineralization if consumed instead of sugars”.[1]

To celebrate this year’s World Oral Health Day – a key opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of good oral health – the WOHP launched a campaign to celebrate moments of everyday happiness. Special moments don’t have to be major milestones – often the most powerful moments are the everyday. It could be spending quality time with your family, celebrating a birthday or going to watch a movie. Smiles are how we express ourselves – that’s why having good teeth is so important to overall happiness and wellbeing.

Sadly, however, more than 3.5 billion people are affected by some kind of oral health problem. Having poor oral health can impact on your confidence and self-esteem, leading to reduced socialising or isolation. Through a series of online education materials, we sought to remind people of the importance of these moments, how they evoke happy memories and lead us to smile and show our teeth. This presented a great opportunity to promote the oral health benefits of chewing sugar-free gum, highlighting the role gum can play as part of a daily oral hygiene routine, especially when snacking on-the-go.[1]

To learn more about World Oral Health Day, please click here.

Scientists at King’s College London (KCL) have published a new systematic review and meta-analysis into the oral care benefits of chewing sugar-free gum. The latest study marks the third in a series of research papers published by KCL into sugar-free gum.  

This study found that chewing sugar-free gum significantly reduced plaque quantity in the oral cavity. When looking more specifically at xylitol gum, the review also found that it significantly reduced plaque quantity. The study concluded that this new research provides evidence to support the use of sugar-free gum – and more particularly xylitol sugar-free gum – in reducing plaque quantity in adults.

The first paper in this series by KCL, published in 2019, showed that the use of sugar-free gum may contribute to prevention and control of dental caries in children with a preventative fraction of 28%. In 2021, the scientists published a second paper based on the data, which found that chewing sugar-free gum reduces the load of Streptococcus mutans (a contributor to tooth decay, mostly found on the surfaces of teeth) in the oral cavity. This latest study provides further evidence supporting the use of sugar-free gum as part of a complete oral hygiene routine, in addition to brushing twice daily, consuming a healthy and balanced diet, and regular dental check-ups.

To read the study in full, please click here. This research was made possible with support from the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program.

Since we helped FDI World Dental Federation launch the first World Oral Health Day in 2013, the WOHP has celebrated this key opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of good oral health and its significance in safeguarding general health and wellbeing. This year, FDI’s theme was ‘Be Proud of your Mouth for your happiness and wellbeing’, with oral health champions around the world taking part to emphasize that an unhealthy mouth can severely impact every aspect of life such as emotional, social, mental, and overall physical wellbeing.

Our campaign in 2022 focused on how we can reverse declining oral health habits. Research shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic, toothbrushing twice-a-day decreased among both parents and children, with the drop particularly noticeable in children. One in four children failed to brush twice a day[i] and fewer children had a dental exam in 2020 compared to 2019[ii]. With tooth decay currently affecting 60-90% of schoolchildren[iii], this year’s campaign encouraged parents to be oral care role models to their kids and suggested ways to make brushing more fun! Ideas included making brushing part of a family routine, turning brushing into a game, and rewarding good brushing with a piece of sugar-free gum. Chewing sugar-free gum helps prevent tooth decay by increasing the production of saliva – the body’s natural defense system for mouth and teeth. The benefits of chewing are recognized by regulatory bodies, governments, and dental associations around the world.

To learn more about World Oral Health Day, please click here.