Chewing gum may help you and your baby
We chew gum when we want to satisfy a food craving, after we eat, when we want fresher breath, and even to help us quit smoking. But there is another setting where most of us might not expect to see a pack of gum -- the Battle Creek Health System Family Birth Center where new mothers are encouraged to chew.
Mothers are at risk to pass bacteria from their mouths to their new babies during and after pregnancy by the foods they eat and the way they interact with their babies. The bacteria passed could cause dental decay to the child. The ingredient xylitol, commonly found in sugar-free gum, and a decrease in saliva-sharing behavior of mothers with their babies could reduce the risk of the child acquiring cavities by 70%. Research suggests that a mother who chews gum containing xylitol (such as Orbit, Stride, or Trident) for five minutes three to five times daily may reduce dental decay for her and her baby.
Tracy Rine, RN, labor delivery and special care nursery at the Battle Creek Health System Family Birth Center, did research on the benefits to new mothers using xylitol and wanted to implement a program at the hospital to raise awareness. Together with Carmen Foljahn, a BCHS marketing and fund development specialist, Rine received a grant from the Battle Creek Community Foundation to begin the program. Sam's Club also contributed donations to the program.
"I feel very strongly that all infant caregivers receive this information on xylitol and it's benefits," says Rine. "Through this grant, we will be able to give caregivers the tools and education they need to help decrease the amount of cavities and their consequences in Calhoun County. Each new mother will receive a pack of gum containing xylitol and an educational fact sheet that discusses the steps they can take to prevent tooth decay in their child when they leave the Family Birth Center."
Xylitol is a natural product of metabolism in the human body. It is derived from natural sources and used to replace sugar in certain foods, drinks, and gum. Foods containing sugar and carbohydrates give the bacteria that cause cavities the energy needed to damage tooth enamel and form plaque. By replacing that sugar, the bacteria will starve and die. This also allows calcium and phosphate salts to harden the enamel and prevent cavities.
"Any saliva-sharing behavior between a mother and her newborn should be limited," says Rine. "These behaviors could include testing food temperature in the mother's mouth before it is fed to the baby, cleaning the baby's face with her own saliva, and sharing cups or silverware."
Some other potential candidates that may benefit from xylitol include people with diabetes, osteoporosis, or people who are prone to frequent ear and upper respiratory infections. Xylitol can be harmful to dogs if ingested in large amounts.
If you have questions about your dental health, please consult your family dentist.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 12 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle Creek Health System as a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.
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