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Chewing Sticks (chewing + stick)
Selected AbstractsChewing sticks: timeless natural toothbrushes for oral cleansingJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 5 2001C. D. Wu It is generally accepted that oral hygiene maintenance through regular removal of dental plaque and food deposits is an essential factor in the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. Methods for oral hygiene vary from country to country and from culture to culture. Despite the widespread use of toothbrushes and toothpastes, natural methods of tooth cleaning using chewing sticks selected and prepared from the twigs, stems or roots from a variety of plant species have been practised for thousands of years in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. Selected clinical studies have shown that chewing sticks, when properly used, can be as efficient as toothbrushes in removing dental plaque due to the combined effect of mechanical cleaning and enhanced salivation. It has also been suggested that antimicrobial substances that naturally protect plants against various invading microorganisms or other parasites may leach out into the oral cavity, and that these compounds may benefit the users by protection against cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria. Some clinical epidemiological studies are in support of this, and many laboratory investigations have suggested the presence of heterogeneous antimicrobial components extractable using different chemical procedures. A few recent studies have identified some of the active antimicrobial compounds. Today, chewing sticks are still used in many developing countries because of religion and/or tradition, and because of their availability, low cost and simplicity. The World Health Organization also encourages their use. The Year 2000 Consensus Report on Oral Hygiene states that chewing sticks may have a role to play in the promotion of oral hygiene, and that evaluation of their effectiveness warrants further research. [source] Effects of extracts of miswak and derum on proliferation of Balb/C 3T3 fibroblasts and viability of cariogenic bacteriaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 2 2006H Darmani Abstract:,Objectives:,This study examined the effects of extracts of two chewing sticks on proliferation of fibroblasts and viability of cariogenic bacteria. Methods:,Aqueous extracts of miswak (Salvadora persica; Arak tree) and derum (Juglans regia; walnut tree) were prepared and their effects investigated on growth of Balb/C 3T3 mouse fibroblasts by measuring the mitochondrial succinic dehydrogenase activity. Furthermore, the effects on the viability of various cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Lactobacillus casei and Actinomyces viscosus) was also determined. Results:,The data revealed that Balb/C 3T3 fibroblasts exposed to aqueous extracts of miswak or derum showed an increase in cell proliferation by 156% and 255%, respectively, in comparison with controls (p<0.0001). Furthermore, extracts from both miswak and derum had adverse effects on the growth of the cariogenic microorganisms, with derum having significantly greater antimicrobial effects than miswak and at much lower concentrations against all the bacteria tested. The most sensitive organisms were A. viscosus, followed by S. mutans, S. salivarius, with L. casei being the most resistant. Conclusion:,The results show that aqueous extracts of miswak and derum enhance the growth of fibroblasts and inhibit the growth of cariogenic bacteria, with the derum extract showing greater activity than miswak. [source] Chewing sticks: timeless natural toothbrushes for oral cleansingJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 5 2001C. D. Wu It is generally accepted that oral hygiene maintenance through regular removal of dental plaque and food deposits is an essential factor in the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. Methods for oral hygiene vary from country to country and from culture to culture. Despite the widespread use of toothbrushes and toothpastes, natural methods of tooth cleaning using chewing sticks selected and prepared from the twigs, stems or roots from a variety of plant species have been practised for thousands of years in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. Selected clinical studies have shown that chewing sticks, when properly used, can be as efficient as toothbrushes in removing dental plaque due to the combined effect of mechanical cleaning and enhanced salivation. It has also been suggested that antimicrobial substances that naturally protect plants against various invading microorganisms or other parasites may leach out into the oral cavity, and that these compounds may benefit the users by protection against cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria. Some clinical epidemiological studies are in support of this, and many laboratory investigations have suggested the presence of heterogeneous antimicrobial components extractable using different chemical procedures. A few recent studies have identified some of the active antimicrobial compounds. Today, chewing sticks are still used in many developing countries because of religion and/or tradition, and because of their availability, low cost and simplicity. The World Health Organization also encourages their use. The Year 2000 Consensus Report on Oral Hygiene states that chewing sticks may have a role to play in the promotion of oral hygiene, and that evaluation of their effectiveness warrants further research. [source] Extract of Juglandaceae regia Inhibits Growth, In-vitro Adherence, Acid Production and Aggregation of Streptococcus mutansJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2000A. G. JAGTAP Aqueous and alcoholic extracts from Juglandaceae regia, used as chewing sticks to maintain oral hygiene, were tested for their ability to inhibit the growth and some physiological functions of Streptococcus mutans. Both the aqueous and the alcoholic extract strongly inhibited the growth, in-vitro adherence, acid production and glucan-induced aggregation of S. mutans. At a concentration of 8% w/v, the aqueous extract produced a 95% inhibition (P < 0.05) of adherence of S. mutans to glass and a 40% inhibition (P < 0.05) of adherence to tooth surface. The alcoholic extract at a concentration of 10% w/v produced a 95% inhibition (P < 0.05) of adherence of S. mutans to glass and a 56% inhibition (P < 0.05) of adherence to tooth surface. At concentrations of 2% w/v the aqueous and alcoholic extracts significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) glucan-induced aggregation of S. mutans and the in-vitro salivary glycolytic reaction for up to 5 h. Bactericidal effects on S. mutans were also evident. At a concentration of 10% w/v, the zone of inhibition observed with the aqueous extract was 12 ± 0.01 mm and that observed with the alcoholic extract was 12.6 ± 0.02 mm. As the in-vitro studies had shown that both the aqueous and the alcoholic extract of J. regia, at concentrations of 10% w/v, could inhibit the growth as well as the acid-producing ability of S. mutans, they were tested at the same concentration for their activity in-vivo. Three subjects were employed. Parameters monitored were salivary bacterial count and salivary glycolysis. Mouth-rinsing with the aqueous but not the alcoholic extract significantly reduced total streptococcal counts in the salivary samples obtained up to, and including, 3 h after rinsing, compared with the counts obtained pre-rinsing or after placebo rinsing. Mouth-rinsing with the aqueous extract produced a 65%, 27% and 78% reduction (P < 0.05) in the streptococcal count in the salivary samples obtained 10 min, 1 h and 3 h after rinsing, respectively. Both the aqueous and the alcoholic extract also inhibited the glycolytic reaction by the salivary bacteria for up to 90 min post-rinsing. This study provides evidence to justify the use of J. regia sticks as an aid to maintain oral hygiene. [source] Post-harvest fungal quality of selected chewing sticksORAL DISEASES, Issue 2 2003E Etebu OBJECTIVE:, To study post-harvest fungal overgrowth on chewing sticks used for oral hygiene measures and role of disinfection. METHODS: ,The post-harvest fungal spoilage of chewing sticks ( Garcinia kola , Glyphea brevis and Azadirachta indica ) was investigated by subjecting the chewing sticks to different preparatory methods (some disinfected in 0.7% sodium hypochlorite before storage), storage conditions (unsealed or sealed in clear polythene) and different storage periods (2, 3 and 4 weeks). RESULTS: ,Significant differences ( P = 0.05) in mean percentage fungal colonization were dependent on plant type and storage period, but not on preparative methods and storage conditions. There were, however, significant interactions between chewing sticks and preparative methods, storage conditions and storage periods, respectively. Azadirachta indica was observed to be more susceptible to post-harvest spoilage organisms than other test plants. Generally, percentage fungal colonization increased with increase in storage period. Four genera, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp. and Botryodiplodia spp., were implicated with post-harvest colonization of chewing sticks after 4 weeks of storage. CONCLUSION: ,The use of harvested chewing sticks after prolonged storage period is therefore not advisable for oral hygiene measures. [source] | ||||||||||