15628_WEM Sugar free gum Leaflet 1/6/10 17:21 Page 1

Saliva has many functions such as:

• Lubrication: helping the action of chewing,
swallowing and speech
• Cleansing: washing away food debris from
the mouth and teeth
• Buffering: neutralizing acid produced by
plaque bacteria
• Digestion: starts the breakdown of
carbohydrates
• Remineralization: helps repair the early

les
stages of tooth decay

mi s
hy
• Protection: acts as an anti-microbial

alt
he
fighting infection.

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For more information for you and your patients

Saliva and Sugarfree Gum
Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums
visit www.BetterOralHealth.info
Reference
1. Dawes C, Macpherson LM (1992) Effects of nine different chewing gums and lozenges on salivary flow rates and pH.
Caries Res 26:176-182.
2. Shannon LL, Frome WJ (1973) Enhancement of salivary flow rate and buffering capacity. Journal of Canadian Dental
Research 3: 177-181.
3. Kashket S, Yankell T, Lopez LR (1989) Prevention of sucrose-induced demineralization of tooth enamel by chewing sorbitol
gum. Journal of Dental Research 68(3): 460-462.
before gum during after gum
gum

4. Leach SA, Lee GTR, Edgar WM (1989) Remineralization of artificial caries-like lesions in human enamel in situ by chewing 7

sorbitol gum. Journal of Dental Research 68(6):

Interproximal plaque pH

1064-1068. 6

5. 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. 5 without gum

4
Potential demineralization zone

3
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time (min)
15628_WEM Sugar free gum Leaflet 1/6/10 17:21 Page 3

What is saliva?
Why is saliva important for teeth?
Saliva is the mouth’s most important natural defence against
tooth decay. A reduction in the amount of saliva produced can
lead to an increase in tooth decay, difficulties in chewing and
swallowing, mouth ulceration and an increased susceptibility
Saliva is the body’s own protection against tooth decay and
to infection. Patients suffering with xerostomia (dry mouth) are
stimulated saliva does this best. The most effective way of
particularly vulnerable and are likely to experience all or many
stimulating saliva is by chewing sugarfree gum, like ORBIT®.
of these problems.

What is saliva?
Saliva, consisting of over 99% water, constantly bathes the teeth
and mouth.
Duct of parotid
gland opens into
Normally, humans secrete approximately 500ml of saliva per day. the cheek opposite
However, this will increase in response to reflexes triggered by taste the second molar
of the upper jaw
and chewing stimulation.

Saliva controls the environment in the mouth that effects the teeth.
If the pH falls below the critical value of pH 5.5, the tooth starts to
Ducts opening
dissolve or demineralize. into floor of the
mouth
beneath the
tongue Parotid
gland

Sublingual gland Submandibular

gland

Saliva is formed mainly from the secretions of three major salivary

glands, the parotid, sublingual and submandibular glands.
15628_WEM Sugar free gum Leaflet 1/6/10 17:21 Page 5

Saliva has many functions such as: Neutralizing plaque acids

• Lubrication: helping the action of chewing, swallowing and speech
• Cleansing: washing away food debris from the mouth and teeth
• Buffering: neutralizing acid produced by plaque bacteria
• Digestion: starts the breakdown of carbohydrates
• Remineralization: helps repair the early stages of tooth decay
• Protection: acts as an anti-microbial fighting infection.
Frequent snacking between meals often leads to the presence of
destructive plaque acid in the mouth. Chewing ORBIT for 20 minutes
after eating and drinking increases bicarbonate in saliva and helps
patients to neutralize this plaque acid.2
Enhanced remineralization
Chewing ORBIT sugarfree gum stimulates saliva, which is a source of
the same types of calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl ions that occur
naturally in the teeth. The increased saliva flow actively reduces
demineralization and improves the rate of remineralization.3,4

Helps prevent tooth decay

Demineralized enamel Remineralized by saliva Chewing ORBIT sugarfree gum after meals and snacks helps reduce
tooth decay by up to 40%.5

Minerals dissolved in
Acids demineralize enamel
saliva remineralize
creating white spots
enamel

Stimulated saliva is a more effective medium for remineralizing enamel crystals

How does sugarfree gum help?

Saliva stimulation
Research has proven that chewing sugarfree gum, such as ORBIT,
stimulates the production of saliva by up to 10 times the normal
rate.1 At the same time the composition of saliva changes making it
even more effective at fighting tooth decay.
15628_WEM Sugar free gum Leaflet 1/6/10 17:21 Page 7

ORBIT sugarfree chewing gum

before gum during after gum The Wrigley Company is the world’s
gum leading manufacturer of chewing gum
and has pioneered independent
7
research into the positive effects of
chewing sugarfree gum on oral health.
Interproximal plaque pH

6
Much of the research highlights the
importance of saliva in dental health.
5 without gum
A study published in the Journal of Dental Research
indicates that patients who chew ORBIT sugarfree gum
4 after eating and drinking can reduce tooth decay by
Potential demineralization zone
up to 40%.5

3 Research conducted by leading independent dental

0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time (min) scientists has convinced dental professionals all over the
world to advise their patients to chew ORBIT sugarfree gum
ChewingChewing
Orbit for 20Orbit for after
minutes 20 minutes after
eating and eating
drinking and the
restores drinking
pH level in the
mouth restores
to a pointthe pH demineralization
where level in the mouth to aoccurs
no longer as part of a regular oral care routine.
point where demineralisation no longer occurs
ORBIT, the oral care
brand, is widely
available in a range of
Key messages for patients
flavours to suit all patient
Chewing ORBIT after eating and drinking:
preferences including
• Stimulates saliva
Peppermint, Spearmint,
• Can help to neutralize plaque acid
Fruit, Winterfresh, Apple
• Helps replace lost minerals after an acid attack
and Watermelon.
• Can help prevent tooth decay