The US soldiers, too busy spotting enemies, are prone to developing cavities and need an efficient solution to keep them out of teeth troubles.

This is how the chewing gum which fights cavities and plaque appeared. Dr. Patrick DeLuca, the University of Kentucky inventor is working now to improve the product so that the anti-bacterial effect and flavor last for up to an hour.

The need for this chewing gum was even greater considering that the stress of combat can encourage bacterial growth in the mouth, as Col. Dennis Runyan, commander of the Army Dental and Trauma Research Detachment in Great Lakes, Illinois, said.

Once the development stage is complete sometime within the next year, scientists will begin testing the gum to check the anti-bacterial substance's efficiency.

According to Colonel Runyan, the Army has been talking to such companies as Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., the maker of Juicy Fruit.