Brushing three times a day is a tough task, especially if you’re roughing it in the mountains of Afghanistan or in the Iraqi desert.
So goes the logic behind a recent endeavor by Army and civilian scientists — combat gum for soldiers too busy to brush.
The gum, described at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists convention this week in Nashville, would contain a special bacteria-fighting agent to prevent plaque, cavities and gum disease.
Soldiers in the field often lack the necessary time and means to brush and floss. Compounding the problem is the stress of combat, which can encourage bacterial growth in the mouth, said Col. Dennis Runyan, commander of the Army Dental and Trauma Research Detachment in Great Lakes, Illinois.
Dr. Patrick DeLuca, a University of Kentucky drug product developer, is working to perfect the prototype, trying to make it taste better and ensure that it retains its flavor and bacteria-fighting ability for 30 minutes to an hour.
Once the development stage is complete sometime within the next year, scientists will begin testing the gum, possibly with Army units.
If the Army decides to pursue the idea, it will probably team up with a manufacturer to produce the gum. The Army has been talking to companies like chewing gum giant Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., Runyan said.
If this is such a terrific idea, why not leave the development costs to the gum companies who will end up selling the stuff to teenagers who are always late for school.
In general, gum companies don’t have the wherewithal to do the kinds of tests required, as the gum has to go through the tests that fluoridated toothpaste did, rather than market testing like Juicy Fruit. The Army wants the stuff, is sponsoring the testing, and Wrigley (or whoever) will make the gum. We’ll probably see the gum on the market later.,
Wrigley’s assets as of Dec. 04 totalled over $3 billion.
This product should be marketed to the masses, and not just for military use. I don’t want to have to go to the bathroom and stand there for 5 minutes just to clean my teeth. I prefer to do it sitting down in front of my computer or tv, or while driving. Brushing teeth is just so cumbersome. And don’t get me started on flossing.
Eideard–
Let’s try this again. Wrigley (or any other gum maker) doesn’t have people on staff with experience to do tests of the sort needed for medical devices (similar to tests on toothpaste that has fluoride). Yes, the gum companis have money, but their quality control probably has more to do with the pakaging or whether there’s too much or not enough gum in the pack.
Ah-hah! Could be, Floyd. I just figure there already are chewing gum companies offering similar products — and Wrigley being the biggest — probably has a foot in the research door.
if we weren’t fighting this war, we could save a lot of tax dollars not fighting a war and not developing “special” gum.
To ranron and their ilk:
I know it’s not true in every case of military expenditure, but let us remember that the internet was originally a quasi military project, supposed to allow data communications to continue in case of multi-node failure (ie: an a-bomb dropped on a communications center).
In at least that case, our military R&D (via the original DARPA), paid for itself many, many times over.
MREs for the gums
When I was a kid, they marketed Dentine for when you couldn’t brush. It seemed believable then but absurd now. “Brush your breath with Dentyne”
The main ingredient of the Army gums seems to be a antibacterial. I always though you weren’t supposed to ingest antibacterials unless you are sick.
Estacado — I HATE flossing too. My dentist recommended those wooden dental picks when I confessed my loathing of floss. I do it while watching TV. My gum health is perfect now.
Ranron — free dental care seems to be a major incentive for enlisting.. if George W’s service record is any indication!
I worked on this project and the main ingredient has antibacterial properties but is not an antibiotic so no problems eating it . It is actually a protien. I no longer work on it, do to a PCS move to a new base but I am very interested in the publics view on it.
I have the perfect solution for this chewing gum. One of my client has patents for the formula for this chewing gum.
Can anybody introduce me to the Mr. Patrick Deluca or Col. Runyan?
Koichi Toyozumi. Hofheim Germany
I know someone who has been working on this for quite awhile. There is more to it than one might think. For instance, it must work as an antibioc in the mouth, but when it hits the stomache it cann’t kill off the good bacteria there. How long does it work? What dosages? it is pretty complex, and it works toward keeping our troops healthy. What’s wrong with that?