Oral Health and Hygiene

Question 1

What plant is associated with toothache?

Answer 1

Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry, Myrtaceae

Question 2

What plant is associated with chewing gum?

Answer 2

Manilkara chicle (Pittier) Gilly, Sapotaceae

Question 3

Which plants are chewing sticks made out of?

Answer 3

o Zanthoxylum spp., Rutaceae
o Salvadora persica L. Salvadoraceae (miswak)
o Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Meliaceae (neem)

Question 4

Which plants are associated with teeth blackening?

Answer 4

o Cocos nucifera L. Arecaceae (coconut)
o Dracontomelon dao (Blanco) Merr. & Rolfe,
Anacardiaceae (DD nut)
o Areca catechu L., Arecaeae (betel nut)
o Betula pendula Roth, Betulaceae
o Cratoxylum formosum (Jack) Dyer, Hypericaceae o Croton cascarilloides Raeusch., Euphorbiaceae o Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl., Araceae

Question 5

Toothache

Answer 5

• Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry, Myrtaceae
Clove oil
Eugenol: 15-20% of essential oil Symptomatic relief of toothache Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory

Question 6

Dracontomelon dao (Blanco) Merr. & Rolfe, Anacardiaceae

Answer 6

Prepared as soot in cast iron, prepped with other plants, antimicrobial properties, inhibits strep growth
◦ Tannins have sterilizing/astringent effects Prevention of caries (Streptococcus spp.)

Question 7

Chewing Sticks use

Answer 7

• Prevent plaque buildup by mechanical cleaning
• Rich in flavonoids (antimicrobial) and tannins (prevent microbial adhesion)
• Other aspects:
• Provide mechanical brushing
• Antibacterial
• Increased salivation
• No plastic waste
• Sweet flavor
• Cost effective
Origins of toothbrushes come from chewing sticks – no toothpaste/water required
Stimulates saliva production
Tapered bristles help get inside the teeth – many contain natural fluorides

Question 8

Chewing gum: Manilkara chicle (Pittier) Gilly, Sapotaceae (chicle; sapodilla)

Answer 8

 Chicle: a natural gum traditionally used in making chewing gum and other products.
 Comes from several species of Mesoamerican trees in the Manilkara genus, including M. zapota, M. chicle, M. staminodella, and M. bidentata
 Local collectors are known as chicleros
 Trees are scored like a rubber tree, in a zig-zag pattern
and latex collected in small containers at the base
 Useful to oral health to remove bits of food from teeth
 Most commercial chewing gum now made from synthetic rubber rather than the plant latex