Welcome Everybody!
In this issue: Everything you wanted to know about Chewing Gum
Here is an article that appeared in the Health Mailbox section of
the 10-31-06 Wall Street Journal. As much as we pride ourselves
in our office on focusing on dental restorative technology, I would
be the first to extol the benefits of PREVENTION in every aspect of
health care.
Q: To help keep my teeth clean between brushings, I chew sugarless
gum, but I am concerned about many of the ingredients. Can you
provide information on sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol? What
are these and are they harmful at all? E.W.
A: Sorbitol,
xylitol, and mannitol are sugar alcohols derived from fruits, vegetables
or woody plants. They are commonly used as sugar substitutes
in chewing gum and other diet products and don’t actually contain
alcohol. If you haven’t had any health problems from chewing
the gum, you don’t need to worry. In the doses found in
gum and other sugarless products, there aren’t usually any side
effects from these sweeteners. In large doses not typically found
in foods, the sweeteners can have a laxative effect and cause gastrointestinal
problems. And some individuals may be more sensitive than others,
so be sure to check with your physician if you think you might be sensitive
to these ingredients.
Xylitol
(as found in Orbit, some Trident, and some other chewing gums) is particularly
interesting because of its potential health benefits. Xylitol
has been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria – in particular,
of Streptococcus mutans, the main bacteria responsible for cavities. In
several studies, scientists have found that people who regularly chew
gum that contains xylitol have fewer cavities than people who
don’t chew xylitol gums. Other studies have shown that
chewing gum that contains xylitol at least five times a day can reduce
plaque and make it easier to remove plaque buildup when brushing.
In general, anything that you do after eating (including rinsing with
plain water) can be helpful in a preventive regimen. I hope you
find this information helpful.
Have a great day!
Dr. Bard J. Levey
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