Increasing sugar-free gum consumption as part of daily oral hygiene could prevent up to 740,000 cases of dental caries each year, delivering estimated cost savings of $169 million, according to new research.
The findings from a report commissioned by the Extra Oral Healthcare Program highlights the significant economic and public health benefits of preventive oral care in Australia.
“Numerous clinical studies have shown how chewing sugar-free gum can help prevent cavities through stimulating saliva that washes away sugars, neutralises plaque acids and helps repair early decay,” said Dr Michael Dodds, Extra Oral Healthcare Program Spokesperson.
“This is of course good for your teeth and oral health, but this latest research shows that this also provides the added advantage of reducing treatment costs, benefiting both consumers and government health services.”
The report, Benefits of Sugar-Free Gum – International Analysis, conducted by Frontier Economics, found that if indicate that if most people in Australia chewed sugar-free chewing gum three times a day, the associated savings in dental treatment costs is equivalent to 1.14% of Australia’s national dental care expenditure – and would benefit more than 8 million people.
“Untreated tooth decay is a problem for many Australians, with decay rates as high as 40% in Western Australia,” said Dr Dodds.
“In addition, paying for dental treatment is a significant concern for many Australians, even those with private dental insurance. We know that regularly chewing sugar-free gum three times a day can reduce rates of decay, but the latest research also demonstrates how this could financially benefit Australians.”
Chewing sugar-free gum is a simple and inexpensive intervention that could complement existing oral health practices. If reinvested, these savings could fund:
- 2.2 million additional patient check-ups.
- 727,000 million additional tooth extractions.
- 777,000 additional tooth fillings.
Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, which plays a key role in oral health by washing away food particles, neutralizing plaque acids, and helping to remineralize enamel. This simple habit, alongside regular brushing and dental check-ups, could contribute significantly to improved national oral health.
