A small trial found that chewing gum containing nitrate can ease the symptoms of gum disease by favouring the growth of beneficial mouth bacteria
People with gum disease could soon benefit from chewing gum containing nitrate, a compound that reduces the growth of inflammatory bacteria.
Gum disease, known as gingivitis in its milder form, occurs when a thin film of bacteria, known as plaque, accumulates on teeth, causing inflammation and bleeding in the gums.
Prior studies suggest that eating nitrate-rich foods, such as leafy greens and beetroot, reduces gum inflammation by enhancing the growth of anti-inflammatory bacteria – but not everyone has access to, or enjoys eating, such foods, says Green.
To test an alternative way to harness nitrate’s benefits, Green and his colleagues recruited 30 adults with mild gum disease. They randomly assigned the participants to chew either a gum enriched with nitrate – developed by the team – or a gum without nitrate that tasted the same for at least 15 minutes, three times a day, for three weeks. The participants were asked to follow their usual oral hygiene routines and diets throughout the study.
Read the full story: Prebiotic chewing gum could be helpful for gum disease (NewScientist)
MedRxiv Paper: