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| image via: Vitalsurge.com |
Yes you are hearing right, i am suggesting you chewing gum ..but how does it help protect your teeth?..
I am suggesting you to have SUGAR FREE Xylitol containing chewing gums present in the market in various brands.
How does it help.?
As I have discussed earlier about the process of Caries/Decay, the organism responsible for decay of the tooth is S mutans.It promotes an acidic environment in our mouths which leaves enamel susceptible to damage, erosion and eventually cavities.
Luckily, nature has provided a cheap, natural and safe remedy for this problem: xylitol. xylitol is a sweet substance commonly found in birch trees and in the fibrous portions of many fruits and vegetables.I want to discuss its application as a cavity fighting agent.
A recent study out of Korea examined the effect on cavities caused by the regular chewing of xylitol sweetened gum.
Two groups of women were assigned to chew either regular or xylitol gum for a period of one year. At ten points during that year, saliva samples were taken from these women and analyzed to determine the amounts of S. mutans.
In the xylitol gum group, the levels of S. mutans decreased consistently as the study progressed. The researchers also found that the S. mutans produced a lower amount of sticky substances in the xylitol chewers. This is relevant because the stickiness allows for acids to cause more damage to our teeth. The combined effects of chewing the xylitol gum led to an oral environment that was less prone to cavity formation.
The results of this first study were encouraging. But I wanted to see if this might be a fluke. It seems that it is no
Facts & Figures-
In December of 2008, a review appeared in the Journal of the American Dental Association. In it, the researchers examined the findings of 19 studies relating to the use of xylitol and sorbitol gums in the prevention of tooth decay. Their analysis found that the xylitol gum studies showed the greatest cavity prevention.
Here’s a breakdown of a few different sugar alcohols and their overall preventive effect:
Xylitol Gum – 58.66%
Xylitol & Sorbitol Combination Gum – 52.82%
Sorbitol Gum– 20.01%
Sorbitol & Mannitol Combination Gum – 10.71%
As you can see, the xylitol component appears to be the most important factor in the promotion of oral health.
So how exactly does xylitol help protect teeth? It is believed that it works to starve harmful bacteria, like S. mutans. This leads to a less acidic environment that is less prone to decay and plaque formation.
Calcium added Xylitol gums-
Preventing cavities is a very positive thing. But is there a way to strengthen enamel, if it’s weak to begin with? Maybe so.
A few years ago, scientists in Japan published a study that tested a combination gum that included calcium lactate and xylitol. Their aim was to see if such a gum could actually make tooth enamel stronger.
Volunteers were asked to either a) chew no gum, b) chew xylitol gum or c) chew gum with xylitol and calcium lactate. The voluteers chewed 4 pieces of each gum for 2 weeks. After which, their enamel was measured using an X-ray.
The results showed that the xylitol-calcium gum was about 50% more effective in promoting remineralization than the xylitol-only gum. The authors concluded that, “chewing gum containing xylitol + calcium lactate could enhance remineralization of enamel surface”.
So i suggest having these xylitol chewing gums instead of sugar candies. Care for your teeth they are precious.