Dental expert says children should chew gum
MANILA, Philippines - Children can now chew their way to healthy teeth and gums. A breakthrough in the properties of sugar-free gum containing xylitol has allowed experts to break the age-old myth that chewing gum is bad for your teeth. Today, kids can enjoy the added dental benefits of chewing on this sweet treat.
According to Professor Kauko K. Mäkinen, research pioneer and renowned expert of xylitol, small children can start using xylitol daily in the form of soluble, small-sized pastilles or mints. As soon as the child understands the meaning of chewing, he can be given chewing gum under supervision. Caries, the decay and crumbling of a tooth, must be prevented from early on.
Developing proper oral habits at an early age is every child’s first line of defense against plaque, cavities, and bad breath. Parents should ensure that their children develop and maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine as soon as they grow teeth, continuing into adulthood.
In conjunction with proper tooth brushing and regular visits to the dentist, chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol can provide added dental protection for kids and adults alike. Xylitol, a natural sweetener derived from birch trees and the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, is proven to demonstrate a dramatic reduction in tooth decay.
Lotte Xylitol Dental Health Gum, which uses xylitol as its active ingredient, combats and prevents common oral problems children face from frequent contact with sugars from milk, formula, juices, and even breast milk. As these liquids break down into simple sugars and are allowed to sit in the mouth, bacteria start feeding on the sugars, causing tooth decay.
Lotte Xylitol has been in existence for 10 years now in Asian markets like Japan, China, and Korea, where it has gained significant inroads in the gum market. In the Philippines, Lotte Xylitol is the first and only dental health gum to use more than 50-percent xylitol content.
Lotte Xylitol is manufactured by Lotte, the leading confectionery company in Japan, and distributed by Lotte Confectionery Pilipinas Corp. It is available in three variants: blueberry mint, fresh mint, and lime mint in blister packs or bottles.
