Honey decreases plaque formation

Aims: To compare the effect of Manuka honey, chlorhexidine gluconate (0.2%) mouthwash and xylitol chewing gum on the dental plaque levels. Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy male dental students aged between 21 and 25 years (mean age 23.4 years) participated in the study. All the subjects received a professional prophylaxis at the start of the study, with the purpose of making the dentition 100% free of plaque and calculus. The subjects were then randomly divided into three groups, i.e. the Manuka honey group, the chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash group and the xylitol chewing gum group. Rinsing with water or any other fluid after the procedure was not allowed as also any form of mechanical oral hygiene for all the subjects during the experimental period of 72 h. After the experimental period, the plaque was disclosed using disclosing solution and their scores were recorded at six sites per tooth using the Quigley and Hein plaque index modified by Turesky-Gilmore-Glickman. Results: The mean plaque scores for Groups I, II and III were 1.37, 1.35 and 1.57, respectively. The ANOVA revealed that between-group comparison was significant, with an F-value of 5.99 and a probability value of 0.004. The T-test was carried out to evaluate the inter-group significance, which revealed that the plaque inhibition by Manuka honey was similar to that of chlorhexidine mouthwash. Both Manuka honey and chlorhexidine mouthwash reduced plaque formation significantly, better than the xylitol chewing gum. Conclusion: Manuka honey and chlorhexidine mouthwash reduced plaque formation significantly better than xylitol chewing gum.

mphatesmpb wrote:No living thing on the planet before human beings even had the ability to habitually clean its mouth/teeth, and I imagine that the natural course of evolution would have produced systemic (ie., antibacterial) mechanisms to keep teeth clean. I think the same reasoning applies to other "hygienic" activities like shampooing.

Years ago I had a theory that brushing shouldn't be necessary to maintain dental health. No living thing on the planet before human beings even had the ability to habitually clean its mouth/teeth, and I imagine that the natural course of evolution would have produced systemic (ie., antibacterial) mechanisms to keep teeth clean. I think the same reasoning applies to other "hygienic" activities like shampooing.

Smurfy wrote:

mphatesmpb wrote:No living thing on the planet before human beings even had the ability to habitually clean its mouth/teeth, and I imagine that the natural course of evolution would have produced systemic (ie., antibacterial) mechanisms to keep teeth clean. I think the same reasoning applies to other "hygienic" activities like shampooing.

No living thing on the planet before human beings even had the ability to make processed foods, unnatural foods, cooked foods either...

You have a point with the shampooing too... we don't need it. It's just a vicious cycle to keep our hair looking good, especially store-brand shampoos where they synthetically make your hair look good, and when it wears off, you need to reapply... good for business of course. With better diet and such = less sebum buildup, less internal stress, naturally better looking hair, and possibly more of it! There are a number of testimonials out there where people go grunge for a few weeks and their hair and scalp begin cleaning itself. (probably because the natural bacteria populations are restored)

Oh and I vote Honey for president! What doesn't it go good on?!

scottyc33 wrote:

Smurfy wrote:

mphatesmpb wrote:No living thing on the planet before human beings even had the ability to habitually clean its mouth/teeth, and I imagine that the natural course of evolution would have produced systemic (ie., antibacterial) mechanisms to keep teeth clean. I think the same reasoning applies to other "hygienic" activities like shampooing.

No living thing on the planet before human beings even had the ability to make processed foods, unnatural foods, cooked foods either...

You have a point with the shampooing too... we don't need it. It's just a vicious cycle to keep our hair looking good, especially store-brand shampoos where they synthetically make your hair look good, and when it wears off, you need to reapply... good for business of course. With better diet and such = less sebum buildup, less internal stress, naturally better looking hair, and possibly more of it! There are a number of testimonials out there where people go grunge for a few weeks and their hair and scalp begin cleaning itself. (probably because the natural bacteria populations are restored)

Oh and I vote Honey for president! What doesn't it go good on?!

Shaving cream is a racket too


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mphatesmpb wrote:Also related...I've replaced deodorant with baking soda. I just dissolve a small amount into a bit of water in my palm, and it works fine.