Saliva stimulated by chewing sugarfree gum, like EXTRA, after meals and snacks helps reduce tooth decay by up to 40%¹.

In the mouth, saliva controls the environment of the teeth. It is a source of the same types of calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl ions that occur naturally in the teeth. If the pH in the mouth falls below the critical value of pH 5.5, due to eating sugars in food and drinks, the tooth starts to dissolve or demineralise. Saliva acts to neutralise these acids and prevents demineralisation. Saliva also helps to repair the damaged mineral crystals in the enamel, remineralisation.

Normally, we produce about 500ml of saliva each day. When we eat, the taste of food and the chewing action stimulates a greater flow of saliva than at rest. When saliva is stimulated like this, its composition changes making it even more effective at fighting tooth decay.

Saliva can be stimulated by any food or drink, but usually at the cost of increased calories especially from sugar or fat. However, chewing EXTRA sugarfree gum stimulates the production of saliva without this drawback.

Chewing sugarfree gum, such as EXTRA, for 20 minutes after foods and drinks has been shown, not only to prevent the usual fall in plaque pH, but also to help remineralise damaged enamel and therefore helping to prevent dental decay.

Reference

1. Szöke J, Bánóczy J Proskin HM (2001) Effect of after-meal sucrose-free gum-chewing on clinical caries. Journal of Dental Research 80(8): 1725-29