Dental Tip - What is the ADA Seal of Acceptance?

Even educated consumers can struggle when picking out the best products for their families and many times they rely on a "seal of approval" to back up their choices.
Consumer products are regularly labeled acceptance seals from national organizations including the American Dental Association.

According to their website, The American Dental Association has "has sought to promote the safety and effectiveness of dental products" for over 125. The The ADA Seal of Acceptance program first launched in 1930 and since then, it has become a trusted symbol to steer consumers towards the best and most reliable dental products.
To this date, the ADA has bestowed its seal of approval on over 300 consumer products all of which have been rigorously screen before receiving the honor. The label appears on a wide range of tooth care products including toothbrushes, dental flosses, mouth rinses and local anesthetics.
However, the program has had their fair share of controversy. In 2007 the ADA granted the thumbs up to on Wrigley's sugar-free gum products. Gum manufacturers have long advocated chewing gum after a meal as a way to reduce acid build up on teeth caused by the sugars left behind. Gum chewing promotes saliva production an essential mechanism to naturally reduce the chances of tooth decay.
There was science behind the claims, however research showed that the gum manufactures had contributed funds to the studies. ABC News reported that Wrigley gum paid the ADA a sizable $36,000 for the rights to include its logo on packages of Orbit, Extra, and Eclipse brands.
Consumer groups have found the ADA seal of approval on chewing gum to be debatable. ABC News quoted Dr. Peter Lurie of the Health Research Group at Public Citizen (nonprofit consumer advocacy group) as saying "If it had been an FDA-style approval, we would know what studies had been done and we would be able to scrutinize them for ourselves. Because this study has been done privately, we have no way of knowing the clinical benefit."
If you have been chewing gum as a way to boost your oral care regime, moderation in use is the best way. Chewing gum has been associated with aggravating other dental issues such as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), sore gums and sore teeth.
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