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Army Develops New Chewing Gum

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the losing-flavor-on-a-gunstock-overnight dept.

IEBEYEBALL writes "The Army is developing a new chewing gum to help soldiers fight dental problems in the field. The gum takes the place of brushing teeth, which the soldier in a combat situation might not have time or means to do. This sounds like the perfect solution for the geek on the go!"

56 of 302 comments (clear)

  1. Some people already do this! by mpathetiq · · Score: 5, Informative

    I know several who think that simply chewing a stick of gum after a meal is a sufficient replacement for a full brushing. Damn Trident marketing.

    These people also tend to have the DemonBreath from Hell TM.

    --
    Post-rock/Ambient/Drone and other noise.
    1. Re:Some people already do this! by Mark+of+THE+CITY · · Score: 4, Informative

      Trident's ad pitch the virtues of sugarless gum. Dentyne uses, or used, the slogan "Brush your breath with Dentyne."

      --
      The clearance system sounds logical. It is not. It is completely arbitrary. -- John Bolton
    2. Re:Some people already do this! by Weh · · Score: 2, Interesting

      in europe there's already a gum called xylifresh that's supposed to clean your teeth

    3. Re:Some people already do this! by puck01 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I chew sugarless gum to make up for not brushing, but I do not believe it is as good as brushing. At the same time do you know for a fact it is not as good? I don't.

      In any case, I work 30+ hours at a time, sometimes without a break or sleep and its all I have time to do. For me it seems to work, I've not had one cavity in the last 4 years since working like this. I did have one in the past when I brushed more regularly. I'm just one person, though, so take it for what it is worth (which isn't much). It would be intresting to see a well done study on the topic (if its not already been done)

    4. Re:Some people already do this! by Schemat1c · · Score: 2, Interesting

      or me it seems to work, I've not had one cavity in the last 4 years since working like this. I did have one in the past when I brushed more regularly.

      I saw a documentary a few years ago where they found a pile of 2000 year old Roman skeletons that were trapped in a cave that had been sealed by a volcanic eruption. Since the Romans usually burnt their dead this was a rare find. It was interesting because their teeth were absolutely perfect They did not brush their teeth or have dentists yet they had no cavities or crooked teeth. The reason they gave is that these people lived before Marco Polo had brought sugar to Europe. Sugar is now used in so many products, not just as a sweetener but as a preservative, that our teeth are now in horrible shape.

      --

      "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everybody agrees that it is old enough to know better." - Unknown
    5. Re:Some people already do this! by hey! · · Score: 2, Funny

      Most of the DemonBreath people I know of are coffee drinkers. I believe that even people with the freshest breath and cleanest teeth tend to get Coffee Breath (TM) after a couple of cups of coffee.

      Yeah, but look on the plus side. The foul reeking alkaloid residues in our mouth do make our bite fatal to less habituated (weaker) humanoids. Just the thing to put smile on your face after an all-night coding session, albeit a bit of a yellow one.

      BTW just to stay somewhat on topic, doesn't each MRE come with some instant coffee?

      Yep. But it's crappy even for instant -- more or less I'd guess they're there to disguise the taste of nasty water. I've found a use for 'em though. I save them and carry them in my pocket. You never know when you could use a sub-lingually applied pick-me-up.

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
    6. Re:Some people already do this! by Chubby_C · · Score: 2, Funny
      I know several who think that simply chewing a stick of gum after a meal is a sufficient replacement for a full brushing. Damn Trident marketing.

      These people also tend to have the DemonBreath from Hell TM.

      smells like someone shit in a spearmint bush

      --
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    7. Re:Some people already do this! by kurosawdust · · Score: 2, Interesting
      At the same time do you know for a fact it is not as good? I don't.

      Seeing as how the gum probably doesn't contain fluoride, I think we can say pretty safely that chewing it is not as good as brushing.

    8. Re:Some people already do this! by SacredNaCl · · Score: 5, Informative

      Seeing as how the gum probably doesn't contain fluoride, I think we can say pretty safely that chewing it is not as good as brushing.

      The gum probably isn't as good as brushing, but that has to do with reasons of bacteria forming what is called a biofilm which needs to be broken up to be eliminated readily. A good brushing action is more effecting than the chewing action of gum.

      This is nothing to do with fluoride. Fluoride would be counter productive here. The only circumstances people benefit from low dose topical fluoride is when they are children, and the effect is rather unremarkable. You can look at places that use it, and don't use, and not see any tangible benefit in dental outcomes outside of a few years in the teens. Once adulthood sets in, fluoridated areas fare worse in several outcome measures than non-fluoridated. Once adulthood sets in and the teeth are formed, as in the case of combat soldiers, it becomes entirely counterproductive. Its also counterproducive when the dose is excessive, as in the case of many cities in the USA where they have fluoridated water, use fluoride toothpaste, and consume numerous products (cereals, beer [used to stop brewing process in American beers], other beverages, plant stores like tea..etc) that contain fluoride compounds, in addition exposure through the air from steel, aluminum, nuclear materials production, other metals, phosphate fertilizer manufacture, and burning coal.

      The teeth are not the only part of the body affected by fluoride as well. It has been shown to store in the bones and cause brittle bones, a demonstratable increase in hip fractures, it is neurotoxic (which has been demonstrated on multilple species of animals and people working in nuclear processing and aluminum manufacturing facilities) can cause confusion, delerium, decrease in intelligence and other damage to the nervous system that does not appear to be short term, it can lead to arthritic changes in the joints, there is also the matter of a demonstrable increase in bone cancer in boys, dental fluorsis, skeletal fluorosis, damage to the spine and nerves in the spine. It is a cumulative poison, and one of the more toxic ones in regular use.

      The military actually tried high dose fluoride treatments in combat situations to prevent tooth decay. They did this in Vietnam, every 6 months soldiers in the field would be called back to use a high dose fluoride tooth paste, and a high dose multicompound fluoride rinse. The results are what you would except, a very short term decline in dental carries, as the fluorsing effects did indeed make the outer enamel shell of the tooth harder, but this occured at the expense the material inside of the tooth. A year later their teeth were crumbling & they were far worse off than those who had not had the treatment at all. The only benefit was short term, it allowed the warfighter to stay out in the field without breaks for dental care for a few months at the expense of damage to all of their teeth later.

      There are other methods that could be employed with a delivery device like gum that would likely be more effective. Zinc gluconate and folic acid in a gum would make a very inhospitable environment for bacteria, you could also add antibacterial enzymes and low dose calcium to the gum. Zinc gluconate mouthwashes have demonstrated a high effectiveness for reducing bacteria and resulting decay. Folic acid washes reduce gum inflammation (thus the size of the pockets bacteria can get into to create problems). Antibacterial enzymes are used commercially already in dental mouthwashes such as biotene with a fair degree of effectiveness. Xylitol is also in wide use, though it is not as effective as the other methods. It will be interesting to see what their gum product actually contains. Even just increasing the saliva flow would be good in this environment. Stress tends to reduce the flow, and allows decay to set in faster. The body itself has means to deal with bacteria in the mouth, our normal state is not rotting t

      --
      Freedom is merely privilege extended unless enjoyed by one and all.
    9. Re:Some people already do this! by kurosawdust · · Score: 3, Insightful
      I don't see the hypocrisy in that, but I'd like to inform you, since I stopped drinking fluoridated tap water and started using natural toothpastes (I recommend JASON products which can be found at www.jason-natural.com), my teeth, and not to mention my body, have been much healthier.

      Wow. One instance of anecdotal evidence. I'm sold. WE MUST ATTACK THE EVIL FLUORIDE CONSPIRACY! We must remove this lethal toxin from our waters and toothpastes! I mean, nobody really dies from brushing their teeth properly with fluoride toothpaste, but it's lethal! And lethal is BAD! And Jason Toothpaste is natural, and natural is GOOD! Well, except for poison ivy...that's natural, and not so good. Oh and viruses - natural, not too good.

      Here's an idea - switch to cheaper, fluoride-based toothpastes for a while, and use the money you saved from not buying expensive organic tea-leaf toothpaste to enroll in a science class and find out why one instance of anecdotal evidence does not a proof make. Have a nice day, you Rugged Iconoclast, you.

    10. Re:Some people already do this! by Schemat1c · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I haven't seen a dentist in... 12 years? No cavities that I know of, but I have a wisdom tooth lurking below the surface that I might need to have looked at, and that at age 31.

      Well, you are the exception not the rule. But, 12 years since anyone's looked at your teeth. You could very well have multiple cavities and not even know or worse yet the beginning stages of gum disease. Just because you are not in pain doesn't mean your teeth are healthy.

      --

      "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everybody agrees that it is old enough to know better." - Unknown
    11. Re:Some people already do this! by SacredNaCl · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I read the first few paragraphs of your fluoride conspiracy diatribe, and as far as I can tell, all of the results you're referencing (well, not referencing...you didnt really reference anything) describe situations where people or animals were given enormous amounts of fluoride, far in excess of what the ADA recommends. Would you be surprised if a study found ill effects in humans who swallowed 125 times the recommended dose of aspirin? You can believe this rubbish if you want, but at least be consistent - aspirin too should be condemned by your standards.

      I guess the Institute of Medicine, the National Research Council, the US Dept of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization are all in on it too, right? This conspiracy reaches much further than we thought! :P

      The WHO (World Health Organization) concurs with my position. The CDC does not, but I wouldn't expect them to. They are responsible for the addition of fluoride into the water in the first place, as was the sturcture of our government at the time. No, I am not talking exposures "125 times", I am talking about mere factor of 2 to 3, and one that is easily exceeded in a substance as toxic as fluorine compounds are as the quantities involved are very minute.

      You mean like the people who ramble on and on about a fluoride conspiracy and then wonder why their teeth are messed up and full of cavities?

      He would be in rather good company:
      Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have banned fluoride in the water, and several have gone as far as ban a wide variety of fluoride containing products. It seems countries with socialized dental programs figured out it didn't work out on the balance sheet. Their teeth are fine, and on average, in better health than the teeth of similarly situated countries who allow its use.

      Proposals go up every year to ban the use of fluoridated salt as well. People who scream that criticism of fluoride is based merely on far out conspiracies have never stopped to look into just how low of a dose can cause very severe health consequence. In countries where fluoride occurs naturally in the water, and they lack the technology or financial means to effectively remove it, you can compare their consumption levels to our own.(Parts of the US use water with high levels of naturally occuring fluoride as well, and when remediation isn't taken, they end up with the same health effects.) The margin of difference between having a fair portion of your society sick from fluoride and escaping the worst (but not the mild & moderate effects of toxicity) is not high at all. Its often less than a factor of 2.

      When I see a village in India, or Pakistan, or Sudan, or Kenya, or Peru with 20-30% of the inhabitants clearly suffering from excess fluoride exposure,and their water levels come back a mere 3.02 and we have 1.0 in the water here, then compare dietary exposures, and it brings their total adjusted exposure to 4.12 and ours to 2.78 ..We are talking about a razors edge margin of safety. This margin could easly be exceeded by a person who drinks more water, or drinks a lot of tea, or eats regularly grapes, raisins, wine (where the grapes are subject to cyrolite pesticide use), cereals processed with fluoridated water, or drinks beer occasionally.

      It is plainly obvious to see that the US Government is not telling the truth when they say there are no measurable consequences to using less than 8ppm of fluoride in the water and diet. Cases of fluoride toxicity in the US itself show it merely takes longer if the exposure levels are in the 3.0-7.9 range. Cases from around the world show that a mere 3.12 in the water is enough to substantially affect the health of a large number of residents over time. Even the EPA's MCL of 4.0 is ovbiously set too high. (Of course, when they try to lower it, the bosses at the EPA tend to put them on unpaid leave and the union has to step in to sue to get peoples

      --
      Freedom is merely privilege extended unless enjoyed by one and all.
    12. Re:Some people already do this! by kurosawdust · · Score: 3, Informative
      The WHO (World Health Organization) concurs with my position.

      Wrong. See WHO Monograph "Fluorides and Human Health", series 59 (1970).

      Only had to read the first sentence that time :).

    13. Re:Some people already do this! by SacredNaCl · · Score: 3, Informative

      For a good overview you can read "The Fluoride Deception" by Christopher Bryson. Which contains a lot of the actual documents, and extracts from others. It deals more with the conspiratorial nature of the process of water fluoridation coming to pass than with the health consequences.

      Just a quick scan of the literature in my own collection:

      Fluoride and bone cancer (Osteosarcomsa)

      1. Maurer JY, Cheng MC, Boysen BG, Anderson RL. Two-year carcinogenicity study of sodium fluoride in rats. Journal, National Cancer Institute 82 111811261990. [Found significant dose-related increase in osteosarcoma incident in male rats, in addition, found fluoride correlation with thyroid follicular cell adenomas, and a rare type of liver cancer.]

      2. Hoover RN, Devesa S, Cantor K, Fraurneni JF Jr. Time trends for bone and joint cancers and osteosarcomas in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, National Cancer Institute. In: Review of Fluoride: Benefits and Risks, Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Fluoride of the Committee to Coordinate Environmental Health and Related Programs. US Public Health Service, 1991 pp F 1 -177. [Found higher incidence of bone cancer in males 20 and under in fluoridated vs non-fluoridated area. Did not control for halo effect unfortunately.]

      3. Cohn PD. A brief report on the association of drinking water fluoridation and the incidence of osteosarcoma among young males. New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton NJ November 8 1992. [While Cohn could not eliminate other sources of carcenogens, he found a clear and convincing association and correlation with water fluoridation and the incidence of osteosarcoma. Quote directly from study: "Thus it can be seen that, for these populations, the chance of osteosarcoma for males age 10-19 years was 6.9 times higher in the fluoridated municipalities."]

      No or scant evidence of protection from Fluoridation or Fluoride exposure in dental carries reduction:

      1. Hildebolt CF, Elvin-Lewis H, Molnar S et al. Caries prevalences among geochemical regions of Missouri. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 78 79-92 1989.

      2. Yiamouyiannis J A. Water fluoridation and tooth decay results from the 1986- 1987 national survey of US schoolchildren. Fluoride 23 55-67 1990

      3. Brunelle JA, Carlos JP. Recent trends in dental caries in US children and the effect of water fluoridation. Journal of Dental research 69 (Special Issue) 7237281990.

      4. Attwood D, Blinkhorn AS. Dental health in school children 5 years after water fluoridation ceased in south-west. Scotland. Dent J. 1991 Feb;41(1):43-8.[No evidence that removing the fluoride affects dental carries levels.]

      5. Kobayashi S, Kawasaki K, Takagi O, Nakamura M, Fujii N, Shinzato M, Maki Y, Takaesu Y. Caries experience in subjects 18-22 years of age after 13 years' discontinued water fluoridation in Okinawa. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1992 Apr;20(2):81-3. [No evidence of increase in dental carries after 13 years of fluoridation being ceased.]

      6. Kalsbeek H, Kwant GW, Groeneveld A, Dirks OB, van Eck AA, Theuns HM. Caries experience of 15-year-old children in The Netherlands after discontinuation of water fluoridation. Caries Res. 1993;27(3):201-5. [More of the same, no statistically signicant evidence of increase in dental carries when fluoridation ceases.]

      7. Seppa L, Karkkainen S, Hausen H. Caries frequency in permanent teeth before and after discontinuation of water fluoridation in Kuopio, Finland. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1998 Aug;26(4):256-62. [Again, evidence did not favor fluoridation looking at before addition, during addition, and after removal of fluoride].

      8. Kunzel W, Fischer T. Caries prevalence after cessation of water fluoridation in La Salud, Cuba. Caries Res. 2000 Jan-Feb;34(1):20-5. [Found a slight decrease in carried after fluoridation was ceased.]

      9. Burt BA, Keels MA, Heller KE. The effects of a break in water fluoridation on the development of dental caries and fluorosis. J Dent Res

      --
      Freedom is merely privilege extended unless enjoyed by one and all.
    14. Re:Some people already do this! by hal9035 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      long time reader, first time poster. I'm a dentist. This guy is just so wrong about everything, toxic doses of most any chemical are bad. Fluoridation of the water supply has been shown to be safe and very effective. Most of his claims of world-wide fluoridation are just mixed up. He almost understands what he is trying to explain. Fluorides in the water supply and in pastes, etc. are effective in adults, too. Ask your dentist for a fluoride treatment once per year, good for kids, good for all.

    15. Re:Some people already do this! by KlomDark · · Score: 2, Funny

      Does the New World Order really care about your teeth?
      http://klomdark.servebeer.com:8081/MessageBase2/Re adMessage.aspx?MsgNum=617

      Floride makes you complacent and submissive.

  2. Everyone. by joemawlma · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why wouldn't they just market and sell that to everyone? I'm sure most people would buy and chew gum if it could effectively replace brushing.

    1. Re:Everyone. by Sen.NullProcPntr · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Give it to solders and if it doesn't work; oh well - we tried.
      Sell it to the public and it doesn't work; "You owe me $1M for each tooth that fell out!"

      Seriously, most stuff designed for the military eventually makes it into the consumer market. Just a matter of time.

    2. Re:Everyone. by susano_otter · · Score: 2, Insightful

      They aren't exactly renowned for their health and safety records.

      Totally! I mean, since the Revolutionary War our continental army has made no improvements at all in soldier hygiene, survivability, casualty rates, the human cost of achieving tactical and strategic objectives, the physical and psychological recovery of wounded soldiers, the minimization of civilian casualties and collateral damage, or any other aspect of an army's health and safety records. Naturally, this gum will be just one more empty gesture, right up there with the lack of advanced lightweight body armor, the steady refusal to train troops in first aid and send medics into battle alongside them, and the contiuing omission of more accurate long range weapons in all our battle planning.

      When will the ADA save us from such incompetence?!

      Oh, wait. What I meant to say was, You, sir, are a tiny party hat for my behind.

      --

      Any sufficiently well-organized community is indistinguishable from Government.

  3. NOT!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    They reason they are geeks is because they are NOT on the go!

  4. News just in from Singapore! by external400kdiskette · · Score: 5, Funny

    Visiting Marine battalion jailed for life after found with chewing gum.

  5. treading gum... by williamhb · · Score: 5, Funny

    So when it gets stuck all over the streets the way regular chewing gum does, will it help prevent potholes?

  6. Nothing really new there by Pig+Hogger · · Score: 4, Informative

    Nothing really new there, NASA astro-nuts had teeth-cleaning gum for years.

    1. Re:Nothing really new there by Fear+the+Clam · · Score: 5, Funny

      Meanwhile, the Russians just used a pencil.

    2. Re:Nothing really new there by Fox_1 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Do you mean this paragraph from your linked article?
      Astronauts can brush their teeth much the way they do on Earth, with just a few minor changes. They can't leave the water running the way some people do, and they can't spit and rinse the toothpaste. They must either swallow it or spit it into a towel. Astronauts do have several dental aids. In weightlessness, salivation becomes more concentrated, which can lead to more tartar forming on the teeth. To prevent this, many astronauts chew gum and massage their gums to keep their mouths healthier.
      Because if that is where this happened before then you are really stretching your interpertation of the article. I see nothing here to indicate that the astronauts aren't just chewing normal gum because of spitty mouths. I do see something here to indicate that the astronauts brush their teeth like normal folks on Earth.
      This product, if tasty enough, could really change dental care for children and others in situations where they don't have their toothbrush and clean water. It's kinda a natural evolution of gum, I'm just surprised that it's only in recent years that the whitening gums and now cleaning gums are being developed.

      --
      The rock, the vulture, and the chain
    3. Re:Nothing really new there by dcjensen · · Score: 2, Informative

      I think he was alluding to another very old joke.

      "During the heat of the space race in the 1960's, NASA decided it needed a ball point pen to write in the zero gravity confines of its space capsules. After considerable research and development, the Astronaut Pen was developed at a cost of $1 million U.S. The pen worked and also enjoyed some modest success as a novelty item back here on earth.

      The Soviet Union, faced with the same problem, used a pencil."

      True or not, still funny.

    4. Re:Nothing really new there by Mortlath · · Score: 3, Informative
      IIRC, graphite from pencils is dangerous to have floating around in an enclosed area. Graphite is a conductor and could harm the many electrical components inside the space capsule.

      After a little googling, I found this (scroll down the page a bit to find the explaination) which explains a little more about it.

  7. where does it stop? by caffeinemessiah · · Score: 4, Funny

    First it's the microwaves and fridges and coffee makers in the labs/cubicles/dungeons that we work in. Then come along hyper-caffeinated beverages to keep you going longer and longer. Choose anti-glare screens. Choose ergonomic mice. Choose Microsoft f***ing natural keyboards with advanced wrist support and a line of shortcut keys at the top. Choose free soda and free sugar, pumped handily into your veins. What next? Briefcase-sized port-a-potties so that we never, EVER have to leave the glare of the monitor?? STOP THE MADNESS!!!

    --
    An old-timer with old-timey ideas.
  8. Sounds nice, but the dentist told me... by NCraig · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've been told a few times that if you don't floss you might as well not even brush. I don't see how any gum could possibly be effective in the same way as flossing.

    However, I'm impressed that the Army has finally found something of use for both soldiers and really lazy people.

    1. Re:Sounds nice, but the dentist told me... by Alioth · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Well, not quite. If you don't brush at all (especially with the typical sugary diet) you'll get cavities in no time.

      One of the important things about toothpaste in general is the flouride. The flouride helps calcium present in your saliva precipitate out, and prevent incipient cavities from worsening. My Dad by the time he was 20 had many fillings. Thanks to the better toothpaste formulations, I'm 33 and still don't have a single filling - no tooth pain - no gum bleeding. I don't religiously floss my teeth every day either. Just brush my teeth with flouride toothpaste after each meal.

      --
      Oolite: Elite-like game. For Mac, Linux and Windows
    2. Re:Sounds nice, but the dentist told me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      that's a load of shit.

      Pot, kettle

      what keaps cavities out is not the floride, althought one of it's chemical properties does retard the microbes that can reduce enimal layers and leach calcium.

      Your teeth are made of a mineral called hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite contains a hydroxide ion. There is a bacteria in the mouth (called S. Mutans) that produces an acid. This acid removes the hydroxide ion from the hydroxyapatite, making your teeth much, much weaker, leading to cavitites.

      Fluoride ions (from toothpaste, drinking water, etc) replace the hydroxyide ions, creating fluoroapatite. Fluoroapatite is much, much more resistant to acid than hydroxyapatite, so the teeth are much, much stronger. Far less cavities occur.

      It's simple high school chemistry. I guess someone wasn't paying attention in class.

      It's the hot water recomended for not only comfort but to essectially disinfect your mouth.

      You actually think that the hottest water that you can stand will kill bacteria? I've got a bridge in New York to sell you.

    3. Re:Sounds nice, but the dentist told me... by cocoamix · · Score: 5, Informative

      I work in the field of dental research. (I work in a lab, so I never have to dig in anyone's mouth, ew).

      The thing that really helps prevent cavities in your SALIVA. The bacteria in your mouth, streptococcus mutans, eats the sugar in your mouth. A byproduct of this is lactic acid, which breaks down the mineral in your enamel and dentin. Saliva acts as an acid buffer to prevent this. In addition there is a protein "web" called the pellicle layer which also protects teeth from acid and erosion.

      Chewing gum stimulates saliva flow, which buffers the acid. Heck, chewing on plain old beeswax will help.

    4. Re:Sounds nice, but the dentist told me... by jafuser · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Here's a simple explanation:

      - People who floss tend to have better personal hygine overall.

      - People who have better personal hygine tend to take care of themselves more.

      - People who take care of themselves more tend to live longer and healthier.

      Therefore, flossing doesn't *cause* you to live longer/healthier. Flossing is an *effect* of having good personal hygine, which can help you live longer/healthier.

      --
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    5. Re:Sounds nice, but the dentist told me... by Mateito · · Score: 2, Funny
      Apparently getting a dog, having sex...

      You might want to reverse the order of those list items.

      --
      Norman Cook's Ode to Sl
  9. Cue the... by rolandog · · Score: 2, Funny

    catchy advertisements?

    "Enroll, and Blow"

  10. Finns had similar product already in seventies. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    The dental significance of xylitol was "discovered" in Finland in the early 70's, when scientists at Turku University showed it could prevent caries.

    Xylitol-Jenkki, the first xylitol chewing gum in the world, was launched by the Finnish company Leaf in 1975.
    http://www.xylitol.org/

  11. Noooo by pcgamez · · Score: 4, Funny

    The gum was the only good thing inside a MRE (other than the rare bag of Skittles).

  12. Chew 'em if you got 'em by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Teeth that is. The army was the first time I met 18 year olds who had dentures. There was, and probably still is, a class of people who believed that having teeth was a problem (especially if you don't take care of them) and that you should have them removed as soon as possible, usually before you drop out of school.

    The army believed otherwise and encouraged you to at least keep a few. There were requirements to have some number of teeth to get into airborn and you'd see recruits desperately trying to keep their few remaining teeth to qualify for airborn.

    Also, if you don't take care of your teeth, you gums get really sensitive, which is why some people don't like going to the dentist for a check up and cleaning. It was really something to see some big hulking badass practically crying in fear as they forced him to go to the dentist.

    1. Re:Chew 'em if you got 'em by symbolic · · Score: 2, Informative

      Also, if you don't take care of your teeth, you gums get really sensitive, which is why some people don't like going to the dentist for a check up and cleaning.

      The bills you get afterward aren't such a comfort, either. They take full advantage of you if you don't have insurance.

    2. Re:Chew 'em if you got 'em by jftitan · · Score: 2, Insightful

      In my case, I have dentures, and I've had them since the age of 15. No, I did brush my teeth, I brushed 2 times a day, once in the afternoon (after breakfast, and once before bed) Flosing was a problem for me, I could never get the hang of it without cutting up my gums.
        But what makes my case special, is that I was born with a syndrome that made my teeth soft, and perfectly acceptible to cavities. During a routine dential check, it was apparent that my teeth were going to cause more touble than without.
        So for a 5 year period I went through a transition of having a full set of teeth (mind you they were not perfect), to upper and lower set of dentures. I've had two sets since the beginning.
        The benefit I feel is, its easier to brush now, take them out, and brush. As for my gums, no they arn't sensitive at all, they do bleed when I go for a serious brushup, but after a few hits of listerine, and floride the next day the gums are back to norm. (Oh I still do my routine of brushing before bed, and after breakfast.)

        I personally didn't want the military dentists to pull my teeth (kicking and screeming is the only thing I can remember from those days), but in the long run... I can say I have perfect looking teeth, than anyone I know. I just wish those viza-line things were out when they were correcting my teeth placement BEFORE pulling them. Life was a nightmare then.

      (Spelling & Grammar in this post has Zero, No, None, Zip of a warranty implied)

      --
      "Don't Forget to Salt the Fries"
  13. Bad teeth? by dada21 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I've been burdened with bad teeth all my life. Cavities galore, crooked, cracks.

    I always brushed and lossed. Flouride treatments and cleanings ahead of schedule. No good.

    I have a mandibular excess, causing TMJ "pain" and massive nightly grinding. It was likely the source of my problem.

    I saw a dentist in Poland about 7 years ago for a toothache. She explained to me the "conspiracy" of the ADA: pro-flouride, pro-abrasive cleanings, pro-short term fixes.

    I did some research and found flouride is a poison that makes bones (and teeth) brittlel Yet I used it, drank it, showered in it.

    I also found that most fillings are a massive amount of weak bonding agent, mercury and other toxins.

    Finally I discovered, in my opinion, that many dentists are frauds like the chiro industry: fix you up enough so you still have to come back.

    I stopped flouride intake (whole house filter, no toothpaste). I replaced my fillings (4-6 year lifrspan) with gold. I eat more friendly-bacteria.

    My teeth are stronger. They don't hurt. Grinding hasn't ruined them much. My gums are healthy and my breath is significantly better.

    The solution is mouth bacteria to consume the bad decay. Cut flouride, cut the US educated dentist. I now go to a foreign dentist who charges me WAY less per visit.

    1. Re:Bad teeth? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      The history of water fluoridation is really interesting. I don't believe in the benefits.

      Look at the many, many studies showing the incidence of cavities in cities with fluoridated water and cities without fluoridation, the effect of fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash. Anyone who studied chemistry in college can explain it to you. Fluoride prevents cavities, period. Anyone who claims otherwise is a scientific fraud and/or kook.

      In fact, due to the popularity of bottled water (which generally isn't fluoridated), cavities are making a resurgence with many people.

      Now if you want to argue that ingesting fluoride has side effects, or that it is possible to brush & floss sufficiently to prevent cavities without fluoride, that's another story.

  14. Other news: Cola to replace flossing by geneing · · Score: 3, Funny

    In other news: Cola to replace flossing

  15. This could be really dangerous! by Chocolate+Teapot · · Score: 4, Funny

    I mean, what if this stuff actually tastes good too? Frontline soldiers will be chewing it incessantly, thus rendering them an easy target for snipers in the dark, who will be able to spot them because of their gleaming white teeth. "OK men, keep your heads down, watch your backs and for God's sake, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!" I'd rather have plaque than a bullet in the gob anytime.

    --
    Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise. - William Shakespeare
  16. Once Again, Correlation != Causality by Myriad · · Score: 4, Insightful
    They reason they are geeks is because they are NOT on the go!

    <sigh>, when will Slashdot get it... once again, Correlation does not equate to Causality!

    For example, sick people are not on the go. Geeks are not on the go, ergo geeks must be sick! Doesn't make sense, does it?

    Now, that geeks are not on the go is supported by the fact that I'm sitting here on a lovely Saturday afternoon writing this. I'm certainly not on the go. However it's not because I'm not on the go that I'm sitting here posting on /., rather it's the other way around. I'm sitting here posting, which is preventing me from being on the go. Thus not being on the go is an effect rather than the actual cause.

    Or something. I think I need some fresh air. :)

    Blockwars: a free multiplayer, head to head game!

    --
    "They do not preach that their god will rouse them, a little before the Nuts work loose." Kipling, 'The Sons of Martha'
  17. I came... by crimson_alligator · · Score: 2, Funny



    I came to chew bubblegum and spread freedom, and it looks like I'm all out of bubblegum.

  18. Oblig. Futurama Reference by Dachannien · · Score: 3, Funny

    Fry: Big Pink! It's the only gum with the breath-freshening power of ham.
    Bender: And it pinkens your teeth while you chew!

  19. The Army needs to invest in Oragenics by Genevish · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Here's the solution. OK, it's a few years away, but the Army investing in it would probably help it along...

  20. Let me tell you about fluoridation, Mandrake by Tetravus · · Score: 4, Funny

    General Jack D. Ripper: Mandrake, do you realize that in addition to fluoridating water, why, there are studies underway to fluoridate salt, flour, fruit juices, soup, sugar, milk... ice cream. Ice cream, Mandrake, children's ice cream.
    Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Lord, Jack.
    General Jack D. Ripper: You know when fluoridation first began?
    Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: I... no, no. I don't, Jack.
    General Jack D. Ripper: Nineteen hundred and forty-six. Nineteen forty-six, Mandrake. How does that coincide with your post-war Commie conspiracy, huh? It's incredibly obvious, isn't it? A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly without any choice. That's the way your hard-core Commie works.
    Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Uh, Jack, Jack, listen, tell me, tell me, Jack. When did you first... become... well, develop this theory?
    General Jack D. Ripper: Well, I, uh... I... I... first became aware of it, Mandrake, during the physical act of love.
    Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Hmm.
    General Jack D. Ripper: Yes, a uh, a profound sense of fatigue... a feeling of emptiness followed. Luckily I... I was able to interpret these feelings correctly. Loss of essence.
    Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Hmm.
    General Jack D. Ripper: I can assure you it has not recurred, Mandrake. Women uh... women sense my power and they seek the life essence. I, uh... I do not avoid women, Mandrake.
    Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: No.
    General Jack D. Ripper: But I... I do deny them my essence.

    Copied gratuitiously from the IMDB Memorable Quotes section. So you see, it's not a US plot. It's a commie plot.

  21. Re:Ummm... ok..... by ScentCone · · Score: 3, Informative

    This is what's modded as "interesting?" First, the Army (if you RTFA) is expressing an interest in this - it's being worked on by a researcher outside the DOD. Second, countless products like this end up in similar form, used in the private sector. Defense-funded/initiated R&D produces all sorts of technologies and techniques that impact the wider economy. I'm sure plenty of long-haul truckers, pilots, backpackers and other folks will find something like this useful.

    You ask "how about investing the money ... into other areas?"

    There are undreds of thousands of people on active duty in our military. Their health is hard to maintain in the field, and anything that assists in that, even if it costs a few million bucks, is well spent. Better body armor, better vehicles, and yes, better overall health from reducing gum disease as a vector for infection (especially overseas). Get a grip.

    --
    Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
  22. Wait.... by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

    Gomer, that aint gum! It is C4 plastic explo....

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  23. Obligatory Simpsons Reference: by Gadgetfreak · · Score: 2, Funny

    Bart: Dad, do I have to brush my teeth?
    Homer: No, but at least rinse your mouth out with soda.

    Bart After Dark

    --
    "No fair, you changed the outcome by measuring it!" - Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth
  24. Re:Intentions are right by headkase · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The army will invest lot's of good money into each soldier too, and yes the army is doing it for their own benefit but the soldier gains skills as part of the transaction as well. In a Machiavellian way it is all about combat readiness and that is necessary as a base but from there the values drilled into each soldier originate from the values of the nation as a whole. The values are all we have to hold onto when it comes down to it and I think the US values tend to be the kind that are suitable for real people to hold onto in times of duress.
    Not disagreeing with anything you've said, I think we agree with different language.

    --
    Shh.
  25. Harbinger of a more peaceful army? by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 3, Funny

    Heard somewhere on a future battlefield... "I came here to kick ass and chew gum, and I'm all out of... oh wait a minute, they just airlifted in a whole pallet of this stuff. Looks like I won't have to kill you today, after all!"

    --
    You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  26. MRE by RoadWarriorX · · Score: 2, Funny

    When I was in the Navy, they had these MREs (Meal, Ready to Eat) that already had these Chicklet-looking pieces of crap gum. Throughout my short stint in the military, I've always heard rumors that there were alternative motive on supplying gum in the MREs. One rumor I heard was that the gum was included a laxitive to make you poop better. OK, I could have believed that. Ever had an MRE? Case closed there. Another rumor was that it may have included experimental medicines that they did not want you to know about. That's a little far fetched, but I would not have put it past our government. Now, the military want their personnel to have better oral hygene? That's sounds like it make too much sense to be true.

    --

    Coderz 4 Life
  27. remineralization by FlippyTheSkillsaw · · Score: 2, Informative
    I went to the dentist recently and they prescribed a 1.1% fluoride toothpaste($7), saying that it would help remineralize some spots where the enamel is eroding.
    Fluoride compounds, usually calcium fluoride, are naturally found in low concentration in drinking water and some foods, like tea. The ocean itself has an averaged concentration of 1.3 ppm (parts per million). Fluoride ions replace hydroxide ions in calcium hydroxyapatite, Ca5[(PO4)3OH], in teeth, forming calcium fluoroapatite, Ca5[(PO4)3F], which is more chemically stable and dissolves at a pH of 4.5, compared to 5.5 pH for calcium hydroxyapatite. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoride


    From my studying in chemistry and human physiology, this jives. Fluorine is much more stable than OH, especially when you're dealing with acids (free H+ ions) which want to form a bond with the OH group and leave the molecule. Also, they say that cavities often come from the enzymes and acids that the bacteria use to break down food particles on your teeth. These enzymes and acids end up breaking down hydroxyapatite and expose the dentum.

    Fluoride should not need be ingested for the fluoridation to happen. Simply putting the fluoride ions in contact with the hydroxyapatite should cause a reaction.