Tahneek...is it unhygienic?

Pre-mastication — the act of pre-chewing adult food and feeding it to one's baby — was standard practice among our blender-lacking ancestors and remains common in many of the world's cultures. Now, it may be coming back in vogue in the West, too, thanks to research indicating a mother's saliva helps boost her infant's immune system.

By exposing infants to traces of disease pathogens present in a mother's spit, pre-mastication gears up their production of antibodies, teaching their immune systems how to deal with those same pathogens later in life. It could also reduce their risk of the autoimmune diseases, such as asthma, that are common in industrialized countries — epidemiology evidence indicates that these ailments result from underexposure to pathogens before age 2.

Fortunately, spit is also swimming with antibodies that reduce the infectiousness of the bacteria in their midst; this means exposing babies to spit gives them a taste of pathogens while usually preventing them from getting sick.

1. Antibacterial properties
Studies have indicated that Salvadora persica contain substances that possess plaque inhibiting and antibacterial properties against several types of cariogenic bacteria which are frequently found in the oral cavity. The growth and acid production of these bacteria is thus inhibited.

Al Lafi and Ababneh tested the antibacterial activity of Salvadora persica against some oral aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and reported that the extract of these sticks had a drastic effect on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, and a variable effect on other bacterial species. They commented that the chewing sticks they used were harvested one month earlier, and suggested that using more fresh sticks will give better result.

Almas et al tested fresh vs. one- month-old Miswak extracts for antibacterial activity and found no difference. A comparison of alcohol and aqueous extract of Miswak was also made. It was found that alcoholic extract is more effective than aqueous extract for antibacterial activity.

2. Antimycotic activity
Results of the investigation carried by Al- Bagieh et al suggest that aqueous extracts of Miswak could be used to reduce growth of Candida albicans. Such inhibition lasts for up to 36/h at concentrations of 15% and above.

3. Release of calcium and chloride into saliva

Gazi et al investigated the immediate and medium-term effect of Miswak on the composition of mixed saliva. They reported that Miswak produced significant increases in calcium (22-fold) and chloride (6-fold), and significant decreases in phosphate and pH.
Calcium saturation of saliva inhibits deminera- lization and promotes remineralization of tooth enamel whereas high concentrations of chloride inhibit calculus formation.

4. Analgesic effect
Mansour et al studied the analgesic effect of Miswak decoction when injected to mice. They found that Miswak was more effective against thermal stimuli than against chemical stimuli. Should the analgesic effect of Miswak be confirmed in clinical dental pain, e.g. superficial pain due to dental hypersensitivity to thermal, tactile, or to chemical stimuli, Miswak will be of practical value.

5. Cytotoxicity

Mohammad et al investigated the cytotoxic potential of Salvadora persica on gingiva and other periodontal structures using the agar overlay method. Results showed no cytotoxic effect by a freshly cut and freshly used Miswak. However, the same plant used for after 24 hours does contain harmful components. Based on these findings they recommend cutting the used portion of the Miswak after it has been used for one day and preparing a fresh part. The cytotoxicity in this study became evident only after 24 hours because the agar overlay method depends on the diffusion of the medicament through the agar material. In addition, it did not provide direct contact between the cells and the tested solution.

6. Other pharmacological properties

Miswak was reported to have anti-inflam- matory, hypoglycemic activities beside the astringent and detergent effect.