Soon, healthy teeth may be a packet of chewing gum away. BASF, a German chemical company, is in the process of developing a chewing gum that contains a strain of lactobacillus bacteria, which has the ability to prevent tooth decay.
The strain, named lactobacillus anti-caries, is found in yoghurt and buttermilk. Its mode of action relates to its effect on streptococcus mutans, a strain of oral bacteria that fixes itself on the tooth enamel and releases chemicals that erode the surface of the tooth. L anti-caries prevent the streptococcus mutans from binding with the tooth enamel, thereby lowering their decay-causing effect. According to BASF, a gum made of the lactobacillus can bring down the number of harmful oral bacteria by as much as 50 times.
BASF's executive director of research Stefan Marcinowski claimed that the product, which is yet to be launched, has been tested on 'large numbers of people'. “It demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce bacterial levels. This bacterium is well established and safe,” he said.
Another BASF spokesperson, project leader Dr Andreas Reindl added, “With L anti-caries we have found an antagonist which effectively binds to the caries germs and prevents them adhering to the surface of the teeth. The effectiveness has been demonstrated and the first oral hygiene products containing probiotic lactobacilli are scheduled to appear in 2007.” The lactobacillus, in another form L alaodoris, has the potential to prevent foul body and feet odor and a deodorant containing the bacteria is in the pipeline.
Even though the development of such a chewing gum has won appreciation from dental experts, most caution that it is not a replacement for brushing teeth regularly. Experts recommend brushing teeth once in the morning and once after dinner when retiring for the night. British Dental Association's Dr Gordon Watkins said the chewing gum fights only one bacterium and not other microorganisms that are responsible for dental caries. “These new products will not remove the need to brush your teeth as their action is targeted against just one bacterium. It's not a substitute for brushing the teeth, because this removes the plaque that contains a whole range of bacteria that causes gum disease and bad breath,” he said, adding that the “best way to minimize tooth decay is to reduce consumption of sugars, strengthen the teeth through the use of fluoride, and brush teeth to remove dental plaque”. Besides a chewing gum, the company plans to use the L anti-caries in other dental products like mouthwash and even toothpaste.
University of Glasgow Dental School expert Dr Peter Carrotte felt that the bacteria would go a long way in preventive dentalcare. “Anything that prevents tooth decay is a good idea. (But) Oral hygiene is essential and a chewing gum is not a replacement for brushing teeth,” he said, adding that regular visits to a dentist were a must for keeping one's smile pearly white and flawless. “Some people need to go to the dentist more often than others but everyone should have an annual check, not only for tooth decay but also for mouth cancer and other diseases,” Dr Carrotte suggested.
Chewing gums that prevent caries are not a new concept. An artificial sweetener xylitol, present in many chewing gums, is believed to hinder bacteria from binding to the teeth enamel. However, this would be the first time a naturally-occurring strain of bacteria is used for dental care in a chewing gum.
Details of the lactobacillus anti-caries and the chewing gum to be developed from that are published in a report in the journal
Chemistry & Industry.
