Studies: CHIOS MASTIC AND ORAL HEALTH

In short: Chios mastic has been valued for oral hygiene since antiquity, and a body of clinical and laboratory research has examined its effects on dental plaque and oral bacteria. This page summarises that research, with citations. As a food, mastic contributes to oral hygiene.

Historically, Herodotus (484–425 BC) noted mastic’s use for the mouth, and Dioscorides (40–90 AD), in De Materia Medica, wrote that chewing Chios mastic cleans the teeth and freshens the breath. Modern researchers have since investigated mastic’s relationship with dental plaque, oral bacteria and gum health.

Selected studies (1973–2017)

Watanabe et al. (1973)

A double-blind randomised controlled trial of a Chios mastic-oil dentifrice in people with chronic periodontitis (22 volunteers, sonic toothbrush). The mastic group showed reductions in inflammation, gingival swelling, bleeding, redness and plaque versus placebo, and suppression of Porphyromonas gingivalis and other organisms.

Topitsoglou et al. (1984–86)

Systematic use of Chios mastic chewing gum significantly reduced dental plaque over 10 days compared with a placebo gum — supporting its role in oral hygiene.

Farella et al. (2001)

Studied prolonged chewing of hard (mastic) gum on the jaw muscles. Pain and fatigue rose only during hard-gum chewing and returned to baseline within 10 minutes, indicating rapid muscle recovery without temporomandibular problems.

Anastassiadou & Siovas (2002)

Compared six commercial gums, including Chios mastic. Natural mastic differed in fluidity and viscosity from synthetic gums, influencing chewing across age groups.

Takahashi et al. (2003)

In 20 dental students, chewing Chios mastic gum reduced salivary bacterial colonies, plaque and gingival indices over 7 days versus placebo, even without mechanical brushing.

Aksoy et al. (2006)

Reported antibacterial activity of Chios mastic against Streptococcus mutans (a bacterium associated with caries) in healthy individuals, in vitro and in vivo.

Sterer (2006)

Methanolic extracts of Chios mastic inhibited Porphyromonas gingivalis in the laboratory — an organism associated with gum disease and oral malodour.

Aksoy et al. (2007)

In orthodontic patients, chewing the gum reduced S. mutans, lactobacilli and total salivary bacteria compared with placebo.

Biria et al. (2009)

Compared Chios mastic and xylitol gums; both enhanced remineralisation of caries-like lesions to a similar degree.

Sakagami et al. (2009)

Reported selective antibacterial activity of mastic against key oral pathogens in the laboratory.

Al-Mofarji et al. (2013)

Chewing Chios mastic for 45 minutes significantly decreased total oral bacterial counts, including staphylococci, Neisseria and oral streptococci.

Biria et al. (2014)

Assessed three gums over three weeks; all reduced mutans streptococci counts, with mixed effects on lactobacilli and saliva pH.

Lee et al. (2014)

Found that Chios mastic protected human keratinocytes from oxidative stress in the lab, reducing apoptosis and promoting autophagy — evidence of antioxidant activity.

Karygianni et al. (2014)

Reported strong antimicrobial activity of mastic extracts against oral bacteria, especially Gram-negative anaerobes.

Makaremi et al. (2016)

Found that chewing mastic improved stability during orthodontic maxillary (molar) expansion, aiding balanced occlusal function.

Koychev et al. (2017)

Compared mastic extract with hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine, reporting inhibition of periodontal pathogens with lower cytotoxicity in the laboratory.

Frequently asked questions

References

• Watanabe H. et al. (1973). Yakuri To Chiryo, 38(10): 915–925.
• Topitsoglou-Themeli V. et al. (1984). Hell. Stom. Chron., 28: 166–170.
• Topitsoglou-Themeli V. et al. (1985). Pedodontia, 2: 56–59.
• Farella M. et al. (2001). Eur. J. Oral Sci., 109(2): 81–85.
• Anastassiadou V., Siovas S. (2002). Stomatologia, 59(1): 39–49.
• Takahashi K. et al. (2003). J. Periodontol., 74(4): 501–505.
• Aksoy A. et al. (2006). Arch. Oral Biol., 51(6): 476–481.
• Sterer N. (2006). J. Med. Food, 9(2): 290–292.
• Aksoy A. et al. (2007). Angle Orthod., 77(1): 124–128.
• Biria M. et al. (2009). J. Dentistry, 6(1): 6–10.
• Sakagami H. et al. (2009). In Vivo, 23: 215–224.
• Al-Mofarji T. et al. (2013). Iraqi Nat. J. Nurs. Spec., 26(2): 136–140.
• Biria M. et al. (2014). J. Dent., 11(6): 672–679.
• Lee B.Y. et al. (2014). Int. J. Oral Biol., 39(2): 65–73.
• Karygianni L. et al. (2014). Biomed Res Int., 839019.
• Makaremi M. et al. (2016). J. Dentofacial Anom. Orthod.
• Koychev S. et al. (2017). J. Periodontol., 88: 511–517.

Make mastic part of your daily oral-care routine — chew the resin, or try toothpaste and gum with mastic.