An American study conducted in Malawi has shown that pregnant women who chew sugar-free gum reduce the likelihood of giving birth before the 34th week of pregnancy. The study took place in the African country, which has the highest rate of preterm birth in the world.
The research team from Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston explained the benefits of gum as it improves gum health and reduces bleeding. It is believed that bacteria causing inflammation enter the bloodstream through gum bleeding, reaching the placenta and potentially causing early delivery.
The experiment involved 10,000 pregnant women who visited health centers monthly. Half of them were given sugar-free gum during each visit and were asked to chew it for 10 minutes in the morning and evening, along with dental care recommendations. The other half of the participants received only the dental care recommendations.
The results showed a reduction in the rate of early births among those who chewed the gum, with the estimated benefit indicating that one fewer preterm birth could occur for every 26 pregnancies in which the recommendation to chew sugar-free gum was followed.
Sugar-free gum contains xylitol, which eliminates harmful oral bacteria. The results of the experiment were recently presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Confirming these findings requires repeating the study in another high-income country.
Pregnant women are advised to visit a dentist as soon as pregnancy is confirmed and to treat any gum infections promptly.
