Written by Louisa Rowntree
Wrigley’s Extra is proud to, once again, be a Platinum sponsor of National Smile Month in 2013. Wrigley is committed to improving oral care understanding across the UK through its Oral Healthcare Programme which is why we work together with organisations like the BDHF to promote better oral health.
It’s Wrigley’s mission to help patients to improve their oral healthcare routine through adding one simple and enjoyable step between twice-a-day brushing. And that is chewing sugarfree gum after eating and drinking, a convenient way for patients to look after their teeth whether in the car, in the office or ‘on the go’. Our message is supported by powerful independent research that proves that chewing sugarfree gum after eating and drinking increases the production of saliva and that this increased saliva flow helps the neutralisation of plaque acids, helps maintain tooth mineralisation and helps reduce oral dryness.
For many years Wrigley has been working with dental professionals in the UK to support the work they do with their patients to advise and help them to improve their oral health. We attend professional conferences and exhibitions up and down the country meeting dentists, hygienists, nurses and therapists providing them with the scientific information and samples they need to help them recommend chewing sugarfree gum to their patients as part of their oral care routine.
This year Wrigley launched the first of a new series of free web-based Continuing Professional Development sessions as part of our on-going efforts to support dental professionals in their role as oral care educators, providing the knowledge they need about the benefits of chewing sugarfree gum to pass onto their patients. The new CPD series is based on the recently released book, Saliva and Oral Health, Fourth Edition (by Michael Edgar, Colin Dawes and Denis O’Mullane, December 2012) and it has been created in partnership with Stephen Hancocks Ltd.
As part of our continued investment in oral care, 2013 has also seen the launch of a new 46-pellet bottle. It’s convenient size and shape means that it can be carried around in a handbag, placed in the car or simply placed on a desk in the office, all those places where ‘grazers’ – people who eat small meals and snacks throughout the day – one of the groups most at risk of developing oral health problems, are likely to be found.
In research* conducted by Wrigley 85% of consumers surveyed agreed that it is a great idea to chew sugarfree gum after eating and drinking which supports Wrigley’s efforts to promote the idea of on-the-go oral healthcare through its Eat, Drink, Chew, Extra campaign. That’s the message we’re passionate about and we’re working hand in hand with dental professionals to help spread the word. For more information or to order free samples of Extra sugar free gum for your patients visit our website on www.wrigleyoralhealthcare.co.uk.
*1,000 UK adults (aged 16+) surveyed 11th December 2012 by One Poll. OnePoll are members of ESOMAR and employ members of the MRS. Office professionals included in this research refer to respondents in full time work.