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A new report by Frontier Economics, commissioned by the Wrigley Oral Health Program, highlights the significant benefits of chewing sugar-free gum (SFG) in improving oral health and cutting dental care costs worldwide. Examining the impact of SFG consumption in Australia, China, France, Germany, and the UK, the study presents compelling evidence on its preventive effects.

Despite sugar-free gum’s well-documented benefits in preventing cavities, the report Benefits of Sugar-Free Gum – International Analysis, reveals that consumption remains far below recommended levels in many countries. In Germany, people chew an average of 101 pieces per year, while in China, that figure drops to just 26 pieces per year – well below the recommended three pieces per day for optimal oral health.

Increasing SFG consumption could lead to major financial savings for individuals and national healthcare systems. The report estimates that if half the population aged 10 and above increased their daily intake to three pieces per day, annual cost savings could reach:

• China: $2.6 billion – the highest among the countries studied
• United Kingdom: $243 million
• France: $157 million
• Germany: $179 million
• Australia: $105 million

These savings result from fewer cases of tooth decay, leading to fewer dental appointments, fillings, and extractions – ultimately reducing pressure on overburdened healthcare systems.

Beyond cost savings, the report highlights that improved oral health has far-reaching benefits. Fewer cavities mean fewer missed school and workdays, helping children stay on track with their education and adults maintain productivity. Additionally, reducing the burden on dental services frees up resources for more complex treatments, enhancing overall healthcare efficiency.

The findings reinforce the idea that sugar-free gum should be a key component of broader oral health strategies. As a low-cost, accessible, and effective preventative measure, sugar-free gum could help millions maintain healthier teeth while easing financial strain on individuals and healthcare providers alike.

The Wrigley Oral Health Program attended the World Dental Congress (WDC) 2024 in Istanbul, Türkiye to promote the oral health benefits of chewing sugar-free gum to dental professionals and share samples of Orbit sugar-free chewing gum. We were delighted to meet with dentists, hygienists, researchers, academics, members of the private sector and others to explain the science behind sugar-free gum’s role in protecting teeth from decay.

WOHP Spokesperson Dr. Michael Dodds also hosted a symposium alongside Save the Children’s Solomé Asseres, speaking on the topic of Preventive oral health interventions in vulnerable populations: economic benefits and the role of public-private partnerships. The talk explored how the private sector can help to promote oral healthcare globally, as well as the role that sugar-free gum can play in an overall oral hygiene routine.

The Congress was also a great opportunity for the WOHP and the Mars Wrigley Foundation to connect with our dental association partners from around the world, to discuss how we can further strengthen ties and future opportunities to collaborate. We are already looking forward to next year’s World Dental Congress in Shanghai!

To celebrate World Oral Health Day 2024 – a key opportunity to empower people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to maintain good oral health – the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program launched a campaign to highlight that good oral health is an essential component of overall wellbeing. Our mouths are the gateway to our bodies, and taking care of our mouth is a fundamental step towards ensuring positive health and wellbeing. This helps us create those special moments of everyday happiness that put smiles on our faces and give us treasured memories with those we love.

Sadly, however, more than 3.5 billion people are affected by some kind of oral health problem. This can impact quality of life, physical and mental wellbeing. For example, if we feel self-conscious about the state of our mouth, we may be disinclined to socialize, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Oral discomfort or pain can also limit our consumption of healthier food, disrupting our ability to consume the nutrients our bodies need. Our WOHD 2024 campaign sought to highlight this and remind people to enjoy moments of everyday happiness by taking care of their teeth and feeling fantastic. It was also a great opportunity to highlight the importance of a complete oral hygiene routine – including chewing sugar-free gum after meals and snacks. 

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

The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program’s ‘Share a Smile’ campaign in Poland has been cited as “best practice” by FDI World Dental Federation in a new report on the role the private sector can play in achieving oral health goals.

‘Share a Smile’ is a program focused on providing free dental checks and oral health education in schools in Poland, a country with a very high prevalence of oral health conditions among children. The report notes that ‘Share a Smile’ “serves as illustration of positive outcomes that can be reached when the public sector is willing to engage in partnerships and recognizes the multifaceted role that the private sector can play, not only as a funding source but also as a valuable source of expertise, including in communication.” It also emphasizes that chewing sugar-free gum has “proven oral health benefits”.

The report is intended to highlight ways industry actors can contribute to reducing the burden of oral disease globally. It was launched this week at the International Association of Dental Research Congress in New Orleans, with Michael Dodds, BDS PhD, Senior Principal Scientist, Science & Technology, representing the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program.

The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program joined more than 10,000 attendees at FDI World Dental Congress in Sydney, Australia in September to raise awareness of the oral health benefits of chewing sugar-free gum among the dental community and to hand out free samples of our sugar-free gum products! Over four days at the conference we met with hundreds of dentists, hygienists, researchers, academics and others, sharing information about our work to promote better oral healthcare and the role sugar-free gum can play in protecting teeth and gums.

In addition, Dr. Mike Dodds, BDS PhD, Senior Principal Scientist, Science & Technology at Mars Wrigley, gave two addresses to attendees, one focusing on the role of chewing gum stimulated saliva in primary caries prevention, and another on the relationship between diet, nutrition, and dental diseases.

FDI Congress is one of the biggest events in the oral health calendar and it was a pleasure to interact with so many other like-minded individuals and groups who share our ambition of better oral health for all. We are looking forward to the 2024 World Dental Congress in Istanbul.