Good read: Chewing sugar-free gum could reduce preterm birth
In a large study, researchers found pregnant women who chewed gum containing xylitol, a sugar substitute that can boost oral health, had a lower incidence of preterm birth and gum disease.
Enjoy this “good read,” an excerpt from an article or other online source related to dentistry curated and shared with DentistryIQ readers.
In findings researchers deemed "very encouraging," a large study on pregnant women in Malawi showed that chewing gum with xylitol reduced the incidence of preterm birth by 24%.
The study was part of a decade-long project in a region of Malawi that has a preterm birth rate of more than 19%, one of the highest in the world. As well, researchers also assessed the rate of cavities and gum disease among pregnant and postpartum women to be in the 70% range.
Drawing on previous studies that have shown that chewing xylitol gum leads to fewer cavities and can reduce inflammation, researchers enrolled some 10,000 women in the study, with those who received the gum experiencing decreased incidence of periodontal disease as well as fewer preterm births.
Elizabeth S. Leaver was the digital content manager for Endeavor Business Media's dental group from 2021-2024. She has a degree in journalism from Northeastern University in Boston and many years of experience working in niche industries specializing in creating content, editing, content marketing, and publishing digital and magazine content. She lives in the Boston area.
