Chewing sugarfree gum, such as EXTRA, for 20 minutes after meals and snacks has been shown to significantly reverse the early signs of tooth decay¹.

Stimulated saliva contains a higher concentration, than unstimulated saliva, of the same types of calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl ions that occur naturally in the teeth. Consequently, stimulated saliva is a more effective medium for remineralising enamel crystals damaged by initial caries attack.

After meals and snacks, bacteria in plaque produce acids, which cause the pH in the mouth to fall. If the pH falls below the critical level of 5.5 the tooth enamel starts to demineralise or dissolve and small white lesions may appear. Stimulation of saliva flow results in an increase in the washing of acids and also an increase in the amount and concentration of remineralising ions. It is these ions that help to repair these early signs of tooth decay.

Remineralisation of enamel lesions can occur with or without chewing sugarfree gum. However, it has been shown that, when patients chew sugarfree gum regularly after meals and snack, remineralisation is doubled in comparison with those who do not chew sugarfree gum¹.

Stimulated saliva also has a higher concentration of bicarbonate, which raises the pH of saliva and greatly improves its buffering power. Stimulated saliva through chewing sugarfree gum, such as EXTRA, is therefore much more effective at neutralising plaque acid in the mouth.

Remember, all patients will benefit from chewing EXTRA for 20 minutes after meals and snacks to help reverse the early stages of tooth decay.

Reference

1. Leach SA, Lee GTR, Edgar WM (1989) Remineralisation of artificial caries-like lesions in human enamel by chewing sorbitol gum. Journal of Dental Research 68(6): 1064-1068.