Tag Archives: chewing

Discover How Prebiotic Chewing Gum Can Combat Periodontal Disease

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Chewing Gum Clinical Trial

Clinical Trial Compares Chewing Gum Types for Periodontal Health

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Patients suffering from periodontal disease can experience immediate relief by chewing gum infused with nitrates, substances known to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

Periodontal disease, commonly referred to as mild gingivitis, develops when plaque—a thin film of bacteria—accumulates on the teeth, leading to gum inflammation and bleeding.

Maintaining oral hygiene by brushing twice daily, flossing or using interdental brushes, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash are essential for preventing or treating this condition. However, these habits can be challenging to maintain regularly, notes Sean Green at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in West Carson, California.

If untreated, this milder form of gum disease can escalate to periodontitis, resulting in painful oral abscesses and loss of teeth.

Prior studies indicate that consuming nitrate-rich foods like leafy greens and beets can enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria, mitigating gum inflammation. However, access to or enjoyment of such foods varies widely, adds Green.

To explore a different method of leveraging nitrate benefits, Green and his team enlisted 30 adults diagnosed with mild periodontal disease. Participants were randomly assigned to chew a nitrate-rich gum developed by the researchers or a nitrate-free gum of the same flavor for at least 15 minutes three times daily over three weeks. They were instructed to continue their regular oral care routines and dietary habits during the study period.

Before and after the trial, the researchers evaluated gum health by measuring bleeding around each tooth using a small metal rod. Participants chewing the nitrate-rich gum showed a decrease in bleeding from an average of 26% at the study’s onset to 15% by the end. In contrast, chewing nitrate-free gum did not produce any significant results.

“This marks a clinically significant improvement in gum health,” states Praveen Sharma, a researcher from the University of Birmingham, UK, who did not participate in the study.

Analysis of saliva samples indicates that the nitrate gum enhances levels of beneficial oral bacteria that convert nitrate into nitric oxide while reducing the presence of harmful plaque-forming bacteria, including Porphyromonas gingivalis.

The findings imply that this approach, supplemented by conventional treatments, could serve as an effective method for alleviating periodontal symptoms. “This serves as a solid proof of concept,” adds Francesco Daiuto at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, UK. However, further research is necessary to determine the longevity of these effects and their efficacy in treating advanced periodontal disease.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Sauropod Dinosaur’s Last Meal Shows He Wasn’t Concerned With Chewing

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Artistic depiction of Diamantinasaurus matildae, a 94 million-year-old sauropod dinosaur

Travis Tischler

The study of fossilized intestinal contents belonging to sauropod dinosaurs marks the first significant finding that confirms the largest terrestrial animals were high-fiber herbivores with minimal chewing behavior.

The specimen, known as Judy of the Diamantinasaurus matildae, was discovered in May 2017 in Winton, Queensland, Australia.

Shortly after Judy’s death around 94 to 100 million years ago, scavengers disturbed her remains; however, most of her body remained intact, including a calcified patch of skin. Notably, her preserved intestinal contents revealed a diverse range of plant matter.

Previously, paleontologists inferred the vegetarian diet of sauropods mainly from their skull and jaw structures, but lacked direct evidence regarding their dietary habits.

“It’s impressive to see Judy, as she may not conform to the typical characteristics we expect of other sauropods,” stated Stephen Polopat, part of the excavation and analysis team from Curtin University in Perth, Australia.

Measuring approximately 11 meters long with a 4-meter neck and a 3.3-meter tail, Judy was likely still a juvenile when she died. Her skin and intestinal samples will be displayed at the Australian-era Dinosaur Museum in Winton starting June 9.

“This gives us a clearer understanding of Judy’s overall size and form, aspects that previous Australian sauropod fossils have not illustrated,” he pointed out.

Polopat noted that her belly was “full” of plant material, emphasizing that it appeared the plants were simply ingested without much processing. “It’s not a matter of bloating in the mouth; it’s a case of cut and swallow.”

He suggested that the substantial plant matter present in Judy’s digestive tract likely facilitated the release of significant methane by the massive creature.

“Uncovering tangible evidence of extinct species like giant dinosaurs is always thrilling,” remarked John Long, who was not affiliated with the study, from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. “If all we had was a panda bear skull, we might assume their diet is similar to other bears’ — not solely bamboo.”

“Speculation has been common regarding these titanic beings’ plant-based diets. Now we know they consumed a variety of vegetation from various levels, including both ground and tree branches,” Long concluded.

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Source: www.newscientist.com