Posted on 02/03/2022 6:51:40 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Gum disease has been linked to an increased risk for preterm birth, and now new research suggests that chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol during pregnancy may lower this risk.
The study took place in Malawi, Africa, which has one of the world's highest rates of preterm delivery.
Each year, about 15 million babies are born before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Xylitol is known to reduce inflammation and improve oral health, explained Dr. Kjersti Aagaard, a professor at Texas Children's and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
"Oral health and the rest of your body health are intimately linked," Aagaard said. "Preterm birth is a challenging problem, and this is a simple intervention based on really good science."
The study took place over 10 years and included more than 10,000 women from eight health centers in Malawi. All of the women were educated about oral health care and other ways to prevent preterm birth. Half of the women were also asked to chew xylitol gum for 10 minutes once or twice a day throughout their pregnancy.
Pregnant women who chewed the gum were less likely to deliver early, compared with women who received education alone—12.6% versus 16.5%. What's more, fewer babies born to gum-chewing moms weighed 5.5 pounds or less at birth, the study found. Women also saw improvements in their oral health.
Studies in the United States have looked at improving dental health during pregnancy with deep-teeth cleaning or scaling and planing to remove plaque and tartar on the teeth and below the gums, but this didn't seem nearly as effective as simply chewing xylitol gum, Aagaard said.
"Xylitol may alter the oral microbiome, leading to healthier gums, less systemic inflammation, and therefore less preterm birth," said Wylie.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Do note few sugar-free gums actually have a large or exclusive amount of xylitol. Also note that too much xylitol in a day can cause loose stools (but at half the likelihood of sorbitol or Maltitol).
Spry, Epic, Xyli-White — toothpastes with xylitol.
Mouthwashes with xylitol include TheraBreath and Act. TheraBreath is milder than most brands, and more expensive.
I chew BFresh B12 gum with xylitol to curb my food cravings and its like a treat, the b complex gives me a happy boost w/o caffeine.
Sure it could, but maybe not. Who knows.
This is but one study
It costs practically nothing to try.
There’s no risk and possibly nice rewards from it.
Keep anything containing xylitol away from your pets, it WILL kill them.
Pretty much ANY artificial sweetener can be harmful to critters.
What kind of food cravings?
“I chew BFresh B12 gum with xylitol to curb my food cravings and its like a treat, the b complex gives me a happy boost w/o caffeine”.
I had never heard of that gum. I need to check it out. Where do you buy it? Thanks
It’s always given me intestinal ‘issues’...I stay away from it.
PUR gum is fantastic
The strep bacteria is killed by xylitol. Xylitol is taken up by the bacteria the way sugar would be, but cannot be broken down and metabolized by the bacteria. As a result, the bacteria starves to death.
Using xylitol regularly may also decrease colds and ear infections. I read one study where children with mothers who chew xylitol gum have fewer ear infections. That was for five minutes, five times a day. Makes sense... it’s very common for mothers to “share germs” with their babies.
Underlying resident bacterial infections can injure people in ways they can’t imagine.
When I’m driving and instead of getting some fast food, I’ll chew the gum. It helps to keep my weight in check.
I used get it at Whole Foods but now, I get it my local natural food store or online at bfreshgum.com. Its a company in Rhode Island.
Xylitol is deadly to dogs and cats. I use a nasal spray with Xylitol for chronic Sinusitis
My cat is cordially invited OUT of the bathroom when I use iti
Thank you!
“I use a nasal spray with Xylitol for chronic Sinusitis”
Sounds like Xlear brand. I believe it has Grape seed extract as well. Supposedly it kills / inhibits the covid virus as well.
That’s what it is. And it does. Use it a.m and p.m. Have to keep cat out of the bathroom cuz Xylitol is deadly for pets.
Yep. Showed it to my MD and he said he could prescribe it. Please keep it away from pets.
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