LONDON, England: While chewing gum may be considered a somewhat undesirable habit, sugar-free varieties have been proved to be highly beneficial for oral health. Chewing sugar-free gum is known to stimulate saliva production, which in turn contributes to neutralising plaque acids, maintaining tooth mineralisation and removing harmful microorganisms such as Streptococcus mutans. A new report from Frontier Economics, an English consultancy, has underscored not only the health advantages of sugar-free gum but also its potential to significantly ease the financial burden that accompanies dental treatment.