It has long been known that chewing xylitol gum helps prevent cavities from forming in the mouth. That has to do with stimulating the production of the salivary glands when chewing. Now, thanks to a large-scale study out of Africa, we learn that chewing xylitol gum is also beneficial in lowering preterm births in expectant mothers. One of the reasons for this might be from improvements in the periodontal health of the mother-to-be.
The Study
This randomized six-year trial study took place in the southeastern African country of Malawi, known for its extremely high preterm birth rates. It focused on eight health centers around an urban-rural area and involved providing oral health education along with distributing xylitol gum for the expectant mother to chew every single day. The rest of the centers focused on pregnancy education, preventing preterm birth and improving the woman’s dental health.
The Results
Findings showed that the regular use of xylitol gum in mothers-to-be led to a “significant reduction” of preterm births compared to the non-gum chewing group. Not only were the levels of periodontitis reduced in those who kept up with routine dental visits and regular xylitol gum use but there was also a reduction in preterm birth and low-birth-weight babies. In conclusion, evidence points to the improvement of periodontal health from chewing xylitol gum daily and more full-term pregnancies. Whether you are pregnant or not, chewing xylitol daily is good for your smile!
Read the full article here:
https://decisionsindentistry.com/2022/04/large-scale-study-chewing-xylitol-gum-reduce-preterm-births/