Typically, people are told to stay away from sweets if they want to avoid problems with their teeth. Indeed, by chomping on too many sugary snacks, individuals can dramatically increase their risk of suffering tooth decay. In such cases, they may need to make an appointment with a dentist in Manchester or elsewhere to get the problems fixed.
However, it seems as though not all sweets are bad for teeth. A new edible creation designed to fight against tooth decay has been developed by scientists. The sweets cut levels of harmful bacteria found in the mouth.
How do they work?
The sugar-free sweets stop bacteria that causes decay from sticking to the surface of the teeth. Instead, the bugs are swallowed in people’s saliva and are then flushed from the body. The treats rely on a form of probiotic bacteria called lactobacillus paracasei. These bind to the harmful streptococcus mutans and prevent them from sticking to teeth.
As the sweets are sucked, the so-called ‘friendly’ bacteria are released into the saliva and they then form a bond with the corrosive bugs.
May help children
The German firm behind the research, Organobalance GMBH, has suggested that the sweets could be targeted at youngsters in a bid to avoid the onset of early tooth decay.
Scientists developed the sweets after lab tests on rats indicated that lactobacillus paracasei reduced levels of harmful microbes found in the creatures’ mouths. These probiotic bacteria were first treated with heat to prevent them from multiplying in the mouth.
Subsequent tests were conducted using 60 people. These individuals were split into groups. While some ate sweets containing heat-treated lactobacillus paracasei, others were given identical looking sweets with no bacteria.
Over the course of one and a half days, the volunteers ate a total of five sweets and, each time, saliva samples were taken from them. The study, which was published in the Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins journal, revealed that three-quarters of the people given the bacteria containing sweets had significantly lower levels of streptococcus mutans after eating one sweet, and this continued throughout the experiment. Those who took the placebo versions also saw a reduction in this harmful bacteria, but not as much.
Growing role of probiotics
Speaking to the Daily Mail, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation Dr Nigel Carter said: “This adds to the growing belief that probiotics have an important role to play in improving oral health.”
More work must be conducted on the sweets. However, the scientists behind the study suggest that they could be available to consumers within the next couple of years.
There are lots of products on the market for consumers to take advantage of in order to boost their dental health. For example, by using good quality toothpastes, toothbrushes, floss and mouthwash, people can help to protect their teeth and gums.
It is also important for individuals to attend regular dental checkups. By doing this, they can ensure that any problems are picked up and dealt with quickly. Luckily, it is now easy for people to access Manchester dentistry services.
About the Author – Anna Longdin is a freelance blogger who has written widely on the topic of dental health for a variety of websites, including City Centre Dental Practice.