Madam, - Danny Rafferty (Letters, July 10th) fails to acknowledge the health benefits of chewing gum.
It has been shown that (a) chewing sugar-free gum after meals can reduce the likelihood of tooth decay; (b) gum containing xylitol can prevent cavity formation; and (c) the resultant saliva production neutralises the effects of acids on teeth.
Chewing-gum has also been found to have numerous positive effects on digestion. - Yours, etc,
Dr CORMAC DRIVER, Haddington Road, Dublin 4.