Dentists who recommend that patients chew sugar-free gum after meals may need to rethink their advice, after scientists found the habit could actually erode¹ teeth.

那些推荐自己的病人饭后嚼口香糖的牙科医生现在需要重新考虑一下这样的意见了，因为科学家们发现这样的习惯很有可能腐蚀牙齿。

A study review in the British Dental Journal found there is a 'hidden risk' in sugar-free products that are promoted as "tooth friendly".

英国牙科杂志近期的一项研究表明，那些所谓的无糖食品其实并不是对牙齿有益的。

A team, from the universities of Boston, Helsinki and Souther Nevada, examined the role of sugar substitutes used in products to tackle tooth decay.

来自赫尔辛基和南内华达州的波士顿大学的研究队伍对糖代品是否对蛀牙有用进行了实验。

They found there was an unrecognised risk of acidic flavouring in sugar-free candies and beverages².

他们发现在那些无糖的糖果和饮料中，有不可辨认的酸性物质。

They said a group of substitutes of sugar alcohols or polyols including xylitol and sorbitol can reduce the risk of cavities.

他们说，但是一些替代品或是多元醇例如木糖醇和山梨糖醇会减少蛀牙。

However, they also increase mouth acidity³ which erodes⁴ dental enamel⁵ - the tooth's hard protective coating. This is especially true if they contain fruit flavourings.

但是，这同样会由于增加了口腔酸性而腐蚀牙齿的保护膜，牙釉质。水果口味的尤其是这样。

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 stimulating⁶ the production of saliva⁷.

一位来自箭牌口香糖公司的发言人说，“包括英国牙科杂志在内的所有的科学研究都证明，嚼无糖口香糖由于刺激唾液分泌会对口腔及牙齿健康有所帮助。”

"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."

“除非人们每天过量的吃口香糖，否则他们根本不必考虑这个问题。

Commenting on the findings, the British Dental Association's Scientific Adviser⁸, 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.

英国牙科学会的科学顾问，达米恩·华姆斯利这样告诉每日邮报的：“这个研究提醒我们在吃酸味及水果味的东西是要保持谨慎，即使他们都是无糖的，饭后过量食用这些东西也许真的会增加我们患牙齿疾病的风险。”

"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. "

“饭后吃无糖的口香糖也许会帮助延缓牙齿的腐蚀，但是你想真正保持健康的牙齿，那还是拒绝那些所谓的水果口味的东西吧。”

"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两次也是非常重要的，记住要在饭后一个小时后也要这样做，还有，不要忘记了定期去看牙医。”