According to newly released research, consuming three pieces of sugar-free gum per day is clinically proven to have oral health benefits.
As published in Dentistry, the report found that chewing three pieces of gum every day can reduce the incidence of caries by 30%.
This is because chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, helping to neutralise plaque acids, maintain tooth mineralisation, and remove harmful bacteria.
Currently, people in the UK consume on average 89 pieces of sugar-free gum per year. This is below the benefit threshold outlined in the report which suggests that chewing three pieces of sugar-free gum per day would cost £55 per year – noting that this is a potentially cost-effective way of improving oral health.
Using sugar-free gum as a preventative measure within a target group (the highest-need individuals in a population) could result in a national cost saving of £388 million, the report estimates. Further to this, if the intervention was successful in just half of the target group, there would still be a saving of £194 million. At the current rate of dental spending, this saving could be used to fund 5.5 million additional check ups. This is in addition to the potential benefits to individuals, positively impacting quality of life and reducing lost days at school or work.
> Since you’re here, why not read about the incoming pay rise for NHS dentists?
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