In the United States, the infant mortality rate — defined by the number of babies who don’t survive to their first birthday — is around half a percent, amounting to 5.6 babies in every thousand.
Worldwide, it’s about three times as high, and in Africa, it’s close to 44 deaths per thousand births.
Low birth rate plays a significant role in infant mortality risk, but researchers may have found a surprising way to combat this with chewing gum.
Sugar-Free Gum, Xylitol, & Gum Disease
There is a long list of risk factors that increase the chances of a preterm birth and a low birth weight (defined as under 2.5kg, which is around 5.5lb) baby. These include advanced maternal age, tobacco use during pregnancy, alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and gum disease, among others.
The latter—gum disease or periodontal disease—may be the reason researchers have found that a certain type of chewing gum reduces the risk of low birth weights, which could, in turn, reduce infant mortality rates.
This particular study was done in Malawi, where a significant percentage (around 70%) of pregnant patients suffer from gum disease, but the results could affect pregnant women worldwide.
Clinics Began Providing Pregnant Women With Sugar-Free Gum
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that can be found naturally occurring in plants and is a common sugar substitute. It comes with some serious warnings: it’s deadly to dogs, can cause digestive issues if too much is consumed, and excess use may be linked to heart problems, including strokes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
That said, it’s typically considered safe in typical amounts for most people, and this study suggests it may offer some benefits. Specifically, 8 health centers in Malawi provided 4,549 study participants with gum containing Xylitol, and had them chew it throughout their pregnancy. The rest of the patients received traditional medication and treatment.
The result? A reduction in preterm birth by nearly a quarter (24%) and an even greater reduction in low birth weight—30%, according to MedicalXpress.
So, Why Xylitol?
Xylitol has multiple positive effects for periodontal disease.
A 2022 study examined the effects of chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol. Each patient was subjected to dental examinations and then asked to chew ten pieces of sugar-free gum daily for two weeks.
Participants were found to have reduced levels of dental plaque accumulation by 20%, and significant reduction of several types of bacteria associated with tooth decay and damage, compared to the control group, which did not chew gum during the time period.
In short, chewing gum with Xylitol seems to have overall positive outcomes for dental issues, and that may be why it shows some potential for improving pregnancy outcomes.
What Does This Mean For Pregnant Women Outside Malawi?
Gum disease is only one factor in preterm birth and low birth weight, but it’s a factor globally, not just in certain areas. In fact, while 70% of the pregnant patients in the Malawi study suffered periodontal disease, the CDC finds similar rates — ranging from 60% to 75% — in the United States.
Pregnancy is hard on teeth, and gingivitis (the early stage of periodontal disease) can be aggravated and worsened by pregnancy hormones. Though it’s not yet clear exactly what the link is between gum disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes, medical experts recommend treating gum disease to improve pregnancy outcomes.
That doesn’t mean that pregnant moms should rush out and buy packages of gum immediately, though!
Remember, there are also risks associated with Xylitol, and it has not been studied sufficiently to ascertain whether it’s entirely safe during pregnancy, so before making a regular habit of consumption, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor, especially if you have other risk factors for cardiovascular complications.
However, this study could lead to further examination of the effects of Xylitol as part of a pregnancy routine, particularly for moms with gum disease.