Study proves effec­ti­veness: prevention of periodontal disease

Hennigsdorf b. Berlin, 21 September 2023 – The medicinal chewing gum “ventrisana”, developed and distri­buted by BELANO medical AG, was tested in a short term supra-regional user study for its effec­ti­veness against periodon­tosis (periodon­titis), bleeding gums and gingi­vitis. Between May and August, the data of 115 test persons were collected and evaluated who had at least one of the typical symptoms such as inflamed or swollen gums, bleeding gums, bad breath or pain-sensitive teeth.

During the two-week study phase, the parti­ci­pants used the “ventrisana” chewing gum three to four times a day. Overall, around three quarters (74 percent) observed a positive change within this time, and in some cases the symptoms disap­peared completely. In most cases, the positive effects set in after a period of appli­cation of seven days. Some subjects reported an even shorter duration until they could observe such changes. Over 80 per cent of parti­ci­pants also reported impro­ve­ments in symptoms such as unpleasant bad breath.

The chewing gum contains a microbial active ingre­dient from a natural lactic acid bacterium. It binds the patho­genic bacterium Helico­bacter pylori, which is consi­dered respon­sible for gastro­in­tes­tinal diseases, among other things. It has also been identified in numerous inflamma­tions of the gums. Due to the purely mecha­nical co-aggre­gation with the active ingre­dient, the harmful germ is bound in the mouth and removed by the natural flow of saliva. Teeth and gums are protected.

Periodontal disease: Serious impli­ca­tions for the heart and stomach

Prof. Dr. Christine Lang, Chief Research and Develo­pment Officer at BELANO medical and respon­sible for the study, explains: „The pathogen that is generally known as the stomach germ makes it clear that bleeding gums or inflammation in the mouth can be a source of many serious secondary diseases such as diabetes, pneumonia or stomach problems, even stomach cancer.” Prevention is therefore strongly advised. Cardio­vascular diseases or pneumonia can also be related to periodontal disease.

The tolera­bility of the chewing gum proved to be very good in the user study. 87 percent of the test persons were very satisfied or positively surprised by the product and its effec­ti­veness. 78 percent said they would continue to use the gum beyond the duration of the study. 82 percent would recommend it to others.

Bleeding gums and periodontal disease in two thirds of over 65s

The most (42 per cent) of the study parti­ci­pants were between 40 and 49 years old, a quarter was between 50 and 59 years old, and about 22 per cent were between 60 and 69 years old. Nearly ten percent of the parti­ci­pants were younger than 40 years of age. „Thus, the group of parti­ci­pants roughly corre­sponds to the incidence of inflammation and bleeding gums in the population“, stresses Prof. Lang. Two thirds of people over 65 in Germany are affected by periodontitis.

The periodontal chewing gum is certified as a medical device, and the active ingre­dient itself is patent-protected. It is obtained from a strain of the lactic acid bacterium Lacto­ba­c­illus reuteri DSM17648 and made available for use in a specially developed high-tech micro­bio­lo­gical process. „The species Lacto­ba­c­illus reuteri has long been known for its parti­cular positive health effects in humans through anti-inflammatory properties“, says Prof. Lang.

Questions about the periodontal disease user study to be sent to BELANO medical at the following e-mail address studie@belanomedical.com.