Critical ReviewThe Potential of Dental-Protective Chewing Gum in Oral Health Interventions
Section snippets
THE EFFECTS OF GUM CHEWING ON ORAL HEALTH
Common claims for the effects of gum chewing include cleansing food debris from teeth and plaque, stimulating salivary flow, increasing the pH of saliva and plaque, and reducing gingivitis and periodontitis. In a critical literature review of gum chewing's effects and applications, Imfeld2 found that gum chewing is a potent stimulator of salivary flow, which is a function of the mechanical act of mastication. Gum chewing after meals stimulates salivary flow that has an increased concentration
CHEWING GUM CONTAINING FLUORIDE, MINERALS, ALKALINIZING AGENTS AND CHLORHEXIDINE
Fluoride-containing chewing gum was introduced in the early 1960s as an alternative to fluoride tablets for high-risk populations that were not served by fluoridated water systems or fluoridated salt distribution plans. Fluoride-containing chewing gum has more than 80 percent oral bioavailability,3 reduces demineralization and enhances remineralization of enamel.4, 5, 6 Fluoride-containing chewing gum, however, is not available in the United States, although it is elsewhere in the world.
The use
POLYOL-SWEETENED CHEWING GUM AND TOOTH DECAY
Polyol sweeteners, commonly known as sugar alcohols, have been used as substitutes for sucrose and fructose in sugar-free food and confectionary products, as well as in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, in the United States for several decades. They are absorbed and metabolized incompletely by the body and, thus, contribute fewer calories than do sucrose or fructose.21 Although most polyol sweeteners are less sweet than sucrose, maltitol and xylitol have comparable sweetness (Table 2,
XYLITOL IN FOCUS
Xylitol can be found in small quantities in fruits and vegetables and is produced as part of human metabolic processes. Similar to other polyols in its class, xylitol has been used mostly as a sugar-free sweetener in foods and candies in the United States but less often than other polyols because they are less expensive. There has been a recent increase in the use of xylitol in food, confections, chewing gums and dental products, which can be attributed, in part, to xylitol's caries-protective
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF GUM CHEWING FOR CHILDREN AT HIGH RISK OF EXPERIENCING CARIES
The mainstays of primary prevention for children are fluoridated water, fluoridated toothpaste, professionally applied topical fluorides, sealants and dietary change. The fluorides, unless they are provided widely and consistently, are limited in their effectiveness against virulent dental caries. Sealants are used primarily to protect permanent molars. By the time the teeth are fully erupted and sealable, a sizeable minority already have caries. Effective strategies to reduce risk by modifying
CONCLUSION
Chewing gums containing protective substances are effective and have the potential to significantly improve oral health status toward Healthy People 201058 and World Health Organization Global59 oral health goals. Xylitol-containing chewing gum has been used successfully in Finland's national Smart Habits oral health campaign and by the U.S. Army, and its use for caries prevention is promoted widely in several countries. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has endorsed the use of
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Cited by (85)
3D printing of a controlled urea delivery device for the prevention of tooth decay
2023, International Journal of PharmaceuticsCitation Excerpt :In addition to reducing the dissolution of enamel, the local pH rise also preserves the equilibrium of the oral microbiota including healthy acid-sensitive noncariogenic bacteria (Burne and Marquis, 2000), (Chen et al., 2000). The administration of various alkali agents, such as sodium bicarbonate, dicalcium phosphate, or urea-containing formulations has been investigated for the prevention of dental caries (Ly et al., 2008), (Chow et al., 1994). A study measured the urea concentration and pH in plaque in humans after the use of urea-containing chewing gums (Smith et al., 2004).
Effect of chewing gum containing Xylitol and blackberry powder on oral bacteria: A randomized controlled crossover trial
2022, Archives of Oral BiologyCitation Excerpt :While there is extensive knowledge of the effects of chewing xylitol-containing gum on salivary levels of S. mutans and dental caries prevention in children (Nasseripour et al., 2021; Soderling & Pienihakkinen, 2020), less is known about its effects on i) other oral bacteria in saliva, ii) the accumulation of bacteria on enamel, and iii) how rapidly the effects occur in adults. Chewing gum can be used to deliver additives that can influence oral health (Ly et al., 2008). Blackberries are a natural fruit containing polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidants.
Effect of sweetener containing Stevia on the development of dental caries in enamel and dentin under a microcosm biofilm model: Effect of sweetener containing Stevia on dental caries
2021, Journal of DentistryCitation Excerpt :Streptococcus mutans, gram-positive bacteria identified as being primarily responsible for the caries process, do not metabolize xylitol for obtaining energy. Xylitol is transported into the cells by the induced action of a fructose transporter, however, it causes a futile cycle because it does not go through to the glycolytic reactions and, when accumulated, induces cell damage [42–44]. Xylitol is also known to improve remineralization of artificial caries lesions in vitro and in situ [45,46].
Biodegradable medicated chewing gum: A modernized system for delivering bioactive compounds
2021, Future FoodsCitation Excerpt :Therefore, the sugar-free chewing gums called as “mechanical salivary stimulant” can remove the accumulation of dietary substances, microbes after meals in the mouth and teeth, improve buffering capacity to neutralize plaque acids (Keukenmeester et al., 2013). The primary goal of U. S. National oral health is extending the use of xylitol gums, alone or else combined with other dental care substances to prevent caries in high-risk population (Ly et al., 2008). For example, xylitol combined with minerals such as calcium phosphate and calcium lactate enhanced the efficieny of remineralization of enamel surfaces.
Art of Prevention: The importance of tackling the nail biting habit
2021, International Journal of Women's DermatologyCitation Excerpt :This results in better oral hygiene and is (Massler and Malone, 1950). Sorbitol-based gum rather than a sugared variety can help prevent caries (Ly et al., 2008). Books and social media can provide support and strategies.
Application of nano/microencapsulated ingredients in chewing gum
2020, Application of Nano/Microencapsulated Ingredients in Food Products
The work cited in this article was supported, in part, by grants 1 P50 DE14254 and T32 DE07132 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., and grant R40MC03622 from the Maternal and Child Health Research Bureau, Health Resources Services Administration, Rockville, Md.
Disclosure. Drs. Ly and Milgrom and Ms. Rothen did not report any disclosures.
- 1
Dr. Ly is an acting assistant professor, Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, Northwest/Alaska Center to Reduce Oral Health Disparities, Warren G. Magnuson Health Sciences Center, Room B-509, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash. 98195-7475.
- 2
Dr. Milgrom is a professor, Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, an adjunct professor, Health Services, and the director, Northwest/Alaska Center to Reduce Oral Health Disparities, Warren G. Magnuson Health Science Center, University of Washington, Seattle.
- 3
Ms. Rothen is a clinic manager, Regional Clinical Dental Research Center, Warren G. Magnuson Health Sciences Center, University of Washington, Seattle.