14 Apr 2015

After studying the article on Jamie Oliver’s manifesto for a “more healthy, happier and cleaner” UK, I used to be fairly perturbed by his pledge to ban chewing gum.

Being a chef who has influenced coverage prior to now, he has persistently demonstrated the significance of wholesome diets and has been a major determine in educating thousands and thousands of Britain’s concerning the worth of consuming and consuming healthily.

However I am afraid this time he has obtained it incorrect.

There is not any getting away from it, sugar has regrettably turn out to be a extra distinguished a part of our day by day weight loss plan. Added sugars at the moment are a function in all too many meals, significantly processed meals whereas candy treats have steadily turn out to be the norm. In some capability, there’s sugar in every little thing we eat and drink so it’s extra essential now than ever that we perceive what we devour and the way we are able to fight the influence which sugar has on our well being.

Decreasing the quantity and frequency of which we devour sugary meals and drinks is in fact important for our common well being, as demonstrated by its influence on the present rise in weight problems, however there’s a essential issue that always will get ignored and that’s concerning our oral well being.

I completely agree together with his name to withstand power drinks, that are packed stuffed with sugar, nevertheless, sugar-free chewing gum has so many well being advantages that I am staggered by his proposal to ban it – particularly as his manifesto focuses straight on bettering well being.

When adopting a nutritious diet we have to embrace these meals and consuming habits that counteract the damaging results of dietary acids and sugars on the tooth. Adopting the straightforward dental hygiene behavior of chewing sugar-free gum after each consuming and consuming event is a vital and handy method of taking care of our oral well being whereas on the go.

Chewing sugar-free gum washes away meals particles, helps to neutralises damaging plaque acids and remineralises tooth enamel by stimulating the circulation of saliva which helps shield tooth all through the day, serving to to stop dental erosion.

Yearly as a nation we spend thousands and thousands of kilos on dental remedy that may usually be prevented. By brushing twice a day, reducing down on sugary meals and drinks, visiting the dentist as usually as they advocate and chewing sugar-free gum, we will help scale back the quantity of invasive and costly remedy we put ourselves via.

Whereas Jamie says “I might ban chewing gum till they’ll invent one that does not make each avenue in Britain appear to be a bomb web site,” I feel everyone knows that it isn’t chewing gum that’s the drawback. None of us wish to see Britain’s streets look ugly however banning chewing gum, which has vital well being advantages, will not be the answer. It is necessary that we proceed to chew sugar-free gum however let’s all be accountable with disposing it in a socially and environmentally pleasant vogue.

Wrapping our gum up and placing it within the bin is a far less complicated and well being aware message than a Singapore-style ban, and must be the true focus of Jamie’s “more healthy, happier and cleaner” manifesto.

 

 

Dr Nigel Carter OBE
Chief Government, British Dental Well being Basis