Having A Good Chew Could Save £Billions Worldwide

“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”
By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield
Having A Good Chew Could Save £Billions Worldwide

Hello again. I hope that you are well. Phew, in the middle of a heat wave as I write this. It’s been that hot that the glue holding my wife’s car registration on had melted and it had dropped down. Thought that there was something wrong with my eyes at first! Glad we have some air-conditioning at work. Missed quite a bit of it though as was in a lecture theatre at a little conference on Digital Dentistry.


Staggering, I Didn’t Know That

Now, according to The World Health Organisation tooth decay and oral diseases rank fourth among the most expensive global health conditions to treat, according to the World Health Organization. While tooth decay is largely preventable, it still affects 60-90% of schoolchildren and nearly all adults globally.

Chewing just one additional piece of sugar-free gum each day could save £3.3 billion worldwide on dental expenditures from treating tooth decay, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Dentistry. WOW!!


Some Fairly Local People Involved As Well


The study, a first of its kind globally, was funded by Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company and independently conducted by the Institute of Empirical Health Economics in Germany (IFEG) with input from an international scientific steering committee comprised of thought-leaders in dental and public health and economics, including Prof Elizabeth Kay of Peninsula Dental School, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.

I find this incredible: Researchers modelled a potential decrease in dental care costs from tooth decay for 25 industrialised countries including the UK. The study follows a piece of research in 2016 which revealed that the NHS could save up to £8.2 million per annum if all twelve year olds in the UK were to increase their chewing of sugar-free gum. Conducted by the York Health Economics Consortium and Peninsula Dental School, Plymouth University, with funding from Wrigley, the study was an initial exploration into the potential cost savings that chewing of sugar-free gum could bring.


I’m Salivating Already

I’m only joking. You’ll see how it fits in. When we chew gum it stimulates salivary flow. Saliva is great stuff as it help clear away food debris, neutralise acid and is a source of calcium and phosphate for tooth repair after acid damage. It also is great for dissolving and clearing away sugar from the mouth, which causes decay. So when you look at it on this level you can why it can be really beneficial.


Sugar Free Is Key

Sugar free gum is the key. There’s no point in shoving sugar in to try and stop tooth decay. No, the best one that is even more beneficial than “normal” sugar free gum is one that contains only Xylitol as the sweetener. This stuff is great. In it’s own right and in it’s own special way it can reduce tooth decay. You can buy it for baking etc. A word of warning though, it can be a laxative if you have quite a bit. It’s good in sugar free mints/sweets for people with dry mouths and a high tooth decay rate.

All Change At Hull City

So, a new division, a new manager and at this rate possibly a new team. So sorry to see Harry McGuire go but good look to him, he deserves a good crack at the whip and do well. Hope he makes it all the way to the world cup. The championship is a good league to watch and an exciting one to be in. Here’s to the next step if the journey.

Until next time. Take care and be good.


Chris