Glenvale Dental Group
240 Springvale Rd
Glen Waverley 3150
Ph 9802 2899
Information sheet from www.glenwaverleydental.com.au

Chewing gum

Chewing gum helps reduce decay because chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva. Dentists usually recommend either xylitol-based or sorbitol-based chewing gums which are sugar-free.

These sugar free chewing gums may also have fruit flavors and food acids (citric acid is E330). The University of Melbourne has been at the forefront of research into enhancing the ability of chewing gum to both prevent decay and heal small areas of initial decay.

The researches have found:

• Citric acid may negate the benefit of chewing gum (unless CPP-ACP is also present). Check out what is in your sugar-free gum.
• The best gum is one with CPP-ACP added. This is a special calcium supplement which has been shown to help remineralise (repair) decay damaged teeth.

In a 2 year study of 3,000 school children in Victoria it was shown that chewing CPP-ACP gum for 10 minutes 3 times a day resulted in 18% less decay when compared to children who were chewing gum without CPP-ACP.
Read the study.

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