Product Encourages Enamel Remineralization
Oral bacteria are always present in your mouth. Some are worse for your teeth than others, but all of them, left unchecked, create tooth decay by releasing acids onto your tooth enamel. These acids break down the enamel by destroying its framework made of calcium and phosphorus.
Fortunately, the enamel can repair itself. As saliva, rinsing the mouth and brushing your teeth washes away bacterial acid, your teeth have the opportunity to heal. Calcium and phosphorus in the diet and your saliva repairs the damage to your enamel, if it’s not too severe, especially with the help of fluoride. Now a new gum from the Trident brand, contributes to this remineralization process with a new product — Recaldent, featured in Trident Xtracare and Trident White.
According to the manufacturer, Recaldent is “derived from casein, part of the protein found in cow’s milk.” Containing both calcium and phosphate, chewing it releases both elements into your mouth, making them available to your tooth enamel. In the list of ingredients, Recaldent is written as its chemical name: calcium casein peptone-calcium phosphate. There’s a mouthful! Trident wants you to have a mouthful too and there do appear to be some benefits.
Apparently, manufacturer-sponsored studies show that along with the xylitol in sugar-free Trident and the saliva-producing properties of chewing gum, Recaldent does a better job of preventing tooth decay than ordinary sugar-free gums. We also know that sugar-free gums containing xylitol do a better job of preventing tooth decay than chewing gums without it. All chewing gum increases the amount of saliva in your mouth, however, washing bacterial acids from your teeth, so as long as the gum is sugar-free, you will see some dental benefits by chewing after meals or consuming drinks containing sugars or acids.
Keep in mind, that if you’re allergic to milk proteins, this is not a gum for you. If you are simply lactose intolerant, you should not suffer ill effects, according to Trident. Vegans, of course, eat no dairy products, so they may object to this gum on the basis of its milk protein ingredient.
While chewing gum will never be a substitute for regularly brushing your teeth, our Placerville dentists are always interested in products that may help our patients take better care of their oral hygiene. Gum chewing is a good stopgap after a meal, until you can brush your teeth. If you like Trident Xtracare, tell us about it next time you stop by the Placerville Dental Group!
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