THE ONGOING BATTLE FOR HEALTHY TEETH AND GUMS

The media bombards us every day with new products which promise to eliminate plaque, get rid of tartar and fight gum disease. The question is, how valid are the claims?

There is some truth to the promise that the latest toothpastes and mouthwashes help in the fight against gum disease, but there are some serious limitations. Rinses may help to reduce gingivitis (inflamation fo the gums), but they are almost useless in improving periodontitis. The same goes for anti-tartar toothpastes, which although they may somewhat reduce tartar buildup above the gum line, they do nothing with regard to below the gum line, where a tartar buildup does most of its work in causing gum disease. Experts agree that the best toothpaste is a fluoride formula that has been approved by the ADA.

What appears to be most interesting is that of all the products on the market, chewing gum may hold the greatest promise for reducing tooth decay. Sugar-free gums and lozenges stimulate saliva production, which can reduce plaque-causing bacteria. New ingredients in certain gums may have an even more direct effect. Some gums contain Recaldent, a calcium phosphate compound similar to the material being investigated for stimulating bone growth in flap surgery. What dentists and researchers alike are hoping for is that such ingredients which stimulate calcium may actually replace some of the mineral lost to tooth decay, reversing some of the damage that has already been done. We will not have enough data for a while to know how effective these new ingredients really are, but it will have been worth the wait if the claims turn out to be true!

There also are gums on the market that claim to fight plaque with ingredients such as xylitol, a sweetener. The downside is that although the formula has been shown to reduce plaque, it causes diarrhea in some people. Baking soda, a mild abrasive and another ingredient found in some gums, is believed to neutralize plaque acids.

These gums tend to have a very strong flavor necessary to cover up the bad taste of the active ingredients and they tend to cost more. Perhaps the best argument for chewing these gums is that anything extra is worthwhile and these gums are probably better than ordinary sugar-free gum.