How Mouthwash Can Avoid Dental Visit

Published:December 27th, 2011

image from telegraph.co.uk

Recent research may have found a way to permanently deal with the issue of cavity growth in the mouth which could save patients money on dental bills. Research done by Wenyuan Shi of the University of California, led him to develop a mouthwash that can kill Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria responsible for the development of cavities on teeth.

Wenyuan Shi and a group of researchers undertook to understand how exactly this bacteria interacts with the colonies of microorganism that develop into plaque on teeth. The bacteria functions by breaking down food and nutrients, found on the surface of teeth, into acids that gradually eat away at the enamel and form cavities. If allowed to develop further, this harmful plaque can lead to the loss of teeth and even gum diseases.

This research was able to come up with a solution for this problem called Specifically-Targeted Antimicrobial Peptides (STAMPS), which comes in a handy mouth wash substance. It is designed to target Streptococcus mutans bacteria and leaving out the useful bacteria found n your mouth. This is a better solution when compared to most antibiotics that kill all the bacteria found in the mouth.

Clinical trials, among 12 individuals, were conducted for the solution. They were instructed to use the solution for once a day, for four days. At the end of the period, tests were conducted to determine the presence of the Streptococcus mutans bacteria and found that lower levels of Streptococcus mutans bacteria, lactic acid and dematerialization in the mouth.

It is not clear what the likely price of this product will be, if approved for use. More research is also required to determine its effects in the long term. On a positive note, Wenyuan Shi has received an investigation grant which should allow him to conduct further trials in the year 2012.


Write a Comment of How Mouthwash Can Avoid Dental Visit



Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape