Wrigley gets a crown for its dental benefits

The company's Orbit, Extra and Eclipse brands have gained the "Seal of Acceptance" by the American Dental Association (ADA), which suggests chewing the gum can help with oral health.

The Seal of Acceptance is awarded to companies by the ADA after laboratory and clinical studies indicate the products meet certain standards.

This gum is the first to be awarded in the US as the dental seal has only usually been given to toothbrushes, toothpastes, floss and mouth washes.

Wrigley said the gum has gone through 20 years of analysis to test its benefits on dental health, such as in fighting cavities and strengthening teeth.

"Wrigley has been championing the oral health benefits of chewing gum for nearly 20 years," said Bill Wrigley, executive chairman of the company.

"Now the ADA Seal of Acceptance makes perfectly clear to dental professionals and consumers that chewing Wrigley's Orbit, Extra and Eclipse sugar-free gums is a convenient and portable way to help maintain and improve oral health."

The ADA's dental seal has been established for more than 75 years for products that meet the dental standards.

"We congratulate Wrigley for being the first chewing gum manufacturer to earn the ADA Seal of Acceptance," said ADA's executive director James Bramson.

"When you see the ADA Seal on the package of a dental product, you can rest assured that an independent team of experts has evaluated scientific evidence.

Now consumers know that if they chew gum that carries the seal, they are actually doing more for their oral health."

Wrigley said the Orbit, Extra and Eclipse brands will feature the seal from November, and the company will support this with a new marketing campaign.

"We're proud to lead the industry by being awarded this important recognition," added Wrigley.