無糖口香糖同樣會損害你的牙齒
Dentists who recommend that patients chew sugar-free gum after meals may need to rethink their advice, after scientists found the habit could actually erode teeth.
那些推薦自己的病人飯後嚼口香糖的牙科醫生現在需要重新考慮一下這樣的意見了，因爲科學家們發現這樣的習慣很有可能腐蝕牙齒。
A study review in the British Dental Journal found there is a 'hidden risk' in sugar-free products that are promoted as "tooth friendly".
英國牙科雜誌近期的一項研究表明，那些所謂的無糖食品其實並不是對牙齒有益的。
A team, from the universities of Boston, Helsinki and Souther Nevada, examined the role of sugar substitutes used in products to tackle tooth decay.
來自赫爾辛基和南內華達州的波士頓大學的研究隊伍對糖代品是否對蛀牙有用進行了實驗。
They found there was an unrecognised risk of acidic flavouring in sugar-free candies and beverages.
他們發現在那些無糖的糖果和飲料中，有不可辨認的酸性物質。
They said a group of substitutes of sugar alcohols or polyols including xylitol and sorbitol can reduce the risk of cavities.
他們說，但是一些替代品或是多元醇例如木糖醇和山梨糖醇會減少蛀牙。
However, they also increase mouth acidity which erodes dental enamel - the tooth's hard protective coating. This is especially true if they contain fruit flavourings.
但是，這同樣會由於增加了口腔酸性而腐蝕牙齒的保護膜，牙釉質。水果口味的尤其是這樣。
A spokesperson for the chewing gum company Wrigley, said: 'Scientific studies, including the report in the British Dental Journal, are all clear that chewing sugar free gum provides many oral health and dental benefits by stimulating the production of saliva.
一位來自箭牌口香糖公司的發言人說，“包括英國牙科雜誌在內的所有的科學研究都證明，嚼無糖口香糖由於刺激唾液分泌會對口腔及牙齒健康有所幫助。”
"Unless people are chewing an excessively large amount of sugar free gum every day, they shouldn't worry about the issues raised in the report, such as the potential for a laxative effect or the calorific content."
“除非人們每天過量的吃口香糖，否則他們根本不必考慮這個問題。
Commenting on the findings, the British Dental Association's Scientific Adviser, Professor Damien Walmsley, told Mail Online: 'This research reminds us of the importance of exercising caution when consuming acidic fruit-flavoured foods, even if they are sugar-free, as excessive use of these outside meal times may increase the risk of developing tooth erosion.
英國牙科學會的科學顧問，達米恩·華姆斯利這樣告訴每日郵報的：“這個研究提醒我們在吃酸味及水果味的東西是要保持謹慎，即使他們都是無糖的，飯後過量食用這些東西也許真的會增加我們患牙齒疾病的風險。”
"Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can reduce the risk of dental decay, but if you also want to avoid dental erosion it is important not to pick the fruit-flavoured varieties. "
“飯後吃無糖的口香糖也許會幫助延緩牙齒的腐蝕，但是你想真正保持健康的牙齒，那還是拒絕那些所謂的水果口味的東西吧。”
"It is also important to brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, waiting an hour to do so after meals, and to visit your dentist regularly."
“每天用含氟牙膏刷牙兩次也是非常重要的，記住要在飯後一個小時後也要這樣做，還有，不要忘記了定期去看牙醫。”
