MREs to contain Xylitol gum

By Marcella Birk
U.S. Army Center for Health
Promotion and Preventive Medicine

WASHINGTON

Meals, Ready-to-eat, also called MREs, will soon contain gum that helps reduce tooth decay. The new gum, made with the alternative sweetener xylitol, works by blocking the bacteria that cause cavities. The gum currently provided in MREs contains sugar and can cause tooth decay.

This change in the MREs, approved by the 2004 Joint Services Operational Rations Forum, is partially due to a recent study showing a significant increase in tooth decay for deployed soldiers. The 3rd Infantry Division, which deployed to Iraq for six months, returned home with more than two-and-a-half times the number of cavities they had before deployment, according to a study conducted in January 2004.

"The amount of tooth decay that occurred in just six months was overwhelming," said Army Maj. Georgia dela Cruz, public health dental staff officer at the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine and lead for the 2004 study.

Army Col. Christine Inouye, Reserve Component force health protection integrator, and dela Cruz were the driving force behind the change in the gum supplied in MREs.

"We are convinced that this initiative will be one major solution to the dental readiness problem for the warfighters," said Inouye.

"Ultimately, the warfighters are at high risk for dental disease," Inouye said. "More importantly, the xylitol gum will potentially impact 2.68 million active component and Ready Reserve soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen while they are deployed in a field environment."

"Deployed [service members] are at greater risk for cavities because of starchy foods, sugary drinks and infrequent tooth brushing," said dela Cruz. MREs contain carbohydrate-rich foods that are essential for energy in a field environment.

Unfortunately, oral bacteria use the starches and sugars in these foods to produce acids that cause tooth decay. Xylitol blocks these bacteria, interfering with their ability to "stick" to the teeth to produce damaging acids. Xylitol also increases saliva flow, which helps neutralize any acids and provides calcium to repair any weakened areas of the teeth.

Col. Robert Lutka, commander, Fort Benning Dental Activity, and Navy Capt. N. Blaine Cook, specialty leader for operative dentistry to U.S. Navy Surgeon General and the chair of operative dentistry, Naval Post-graduate Dental School, are long-time advocates of xylitol.
 "Xylitol has been used by diabetics for years as an alternative sweetener," said Lutka. "It's a safe and effective way to keep [service members] healthy while deployed." Due to the number of MREs already in stock, xylitol gum will not reach service members' MREs immediately but will be included within 18 to 24 months.

"Don't wait to start using xylitol gum," said dela Cruz. "The gum can be purchased on the local economy and at commissaries, although the choice of flavors may be limited at smaller commissaries. Read the ingredients on the label and make sure that xylitol is the first ingredient. Chewing the gum at least five minutes is extremely important for maximum effectiveness."

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