Yogurt chewing gum could prevent tooth decay

by Sarah J. Gim, Posted Aug 21st 2006 @ 2:33PM

We already know that chewing gum can help keep your breath fresh as the springtime. Chewing gum can also help to "wash" away nasty plaque and bacteria because it causes you to salivate. Now, scientists have developed a chewing gum uses the good bacteria Lactobacillus found in yogurt to kill of the decay-causing bacteria found in your mouth.

According to Dr. Andreas Reindl of BASF, "The effectiveness has been demonstrated and the first oral hygiene products containing probiotic lactobacilli are scheduled to appear in 2007."

Of course, this doesn't mean you should stop brushing your teeth, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly.

Source

Filed Under: Science, Health & Medical, Ingredients
Tags: basf, candy, chewing gum, dental hygiene, europe, gum, tooth deay, yogurt

Chew on This

Royal Wedding Cake Details Revealed! - YumSugar

Make Your Own Pop Tarts - CHOW
Denny's Introduces a Maple Bacon Sundae - Eater
Whole Foods Opening Bars in Stores - USA Today
Rules Of Bar Etiquette -- For The Bartender - HuffPost Food

Reader comments (Page 1 of 2)

8-21-2006 @2:57PM Brian said... Xylitol also has a similar effect and is used in many sugar-free gums.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @3:41PM Terry Finn said... I sell a product that removes all decaying type bacteria. Foolproof, no moving parts, takes less than 20 second per day, no fooling.

Contact me at SKIMISSION@aol.com
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @3:57PM Dr. Gary Pitts said... My company owns a patented technology which excludes bacteria from adhering to teeth and causing decay or periodontitis. Successful animal trials in caries and gingivitis/periodontitis clinical trials in humans.

I started this work at Warner-Lambert in 1973 and we filed our first patents, as a private company, a few years ago; they are issued throughout the civilized world. We have licensed the technology to the leading marketer for animals and would like to do so for humans.

Gary Pitts, JD, PhD
gary365@aol.com
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @4:07PM Franni said... I was speaking with one of my customers and she said the exact opposite. She said,its the yogurt THAT CAUSES RAPID TOOTH DECAY, not the other way around. I had been commenting on Apple Juice and the way it can ruin second teeth in children because it causes decay and she said,its yogurt because its bacteria. I know that eating Cheddar Cheese helps to fight tooth decay and is very popular with the Brittish.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @4:18PM Kris said... Franni-
You wrote: " I know that eating Cheddar Cheese helps to fight tooth decay and is very popular with the Brittish"

Do you seriously want to take dental tips from the British? I don't think I'll be eating Cheddar Cheese from now on, thanks!~
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @4:22PM Fleck said... Rinse with warm saltwater and thast will kill lots of bad bacteria if not all. If you want rinse first with saltwater than your reg rinse but saltwter rinses are great.

Rinse with salt BEFORE you brush . Water must be warm or salt doesnt disolve well . Add enough salt to a cup that you truly taste the salt .

Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @4:29PM DLMdoc said... "I know that eating Cheddar Cheese helps to fight tooth decay and is very popular with the Brittish."

Franni - you're going to take dental care advise from the British?!?!? LOL
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @4:37PM lea said... Listerine a couple times a day is great and you can get the generic brand at the dollar general and most dollar stores and it has the exact same things in it as listerine and it is only a dollar and you can stock up on it, but be careful with younger ones cause it has a little alcohol in it. When you get up in the night be sure and swish water in your mouth and drink some water. Keeps you from having such ecch breath in the morning. I heard that if you drink water several times during the night that you can eliminate morning breath. I can't wake up to try it though. I will try the gum, and I would like to know more about mr. pitts was saying. seems like i have heard about that before.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @4:39PM andrea said... YOGURT BASED GUM AND CHEDDAR CHEESE TO HELP PREVENT TOOTH DECAY????WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO A GOOD OLD FASHION TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE....NEXT THERE GONNA TELL US THAT SMOKING IS GOOD FOR YOU....GIVE ME A BREAK
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @4:52PM Sarah said... I don't like gum that much... makes my jaws hurt. My ritual involved mouthwash, toothbrush + paste, and flossing in that order everyday. And I've never had a cavity.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @4:54PM dr. ken endicott said... Hi i am a dentist..i am sick and tired of all this..i WANT tooth decay..how am i going to pay for my kids college if no one has tooth decay..how will i pay for my extra home and my sports car and country club..this is all bull..just like they have cars that dont run on oil or the cure for cancer..leave us alone and let us make money like the oil companies and the drug companies..
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @5:10PM Red said... They are now saying not to use mouthwash with alcohol b/c it takes something good off your teeth that you need. I think they said enamel.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @5:12PM Rz said... Now Franni - you left your self wide open here.

Posted at 4:07PM on Aug 21st 2006 by Franni
Says -

"...I know that eating Cheddar Cheese helps to fight tooth decay and is very popular with the Brittish. "

Have you ever seen a Brit with good teeth. Not even the "Royals" have decent choppers.

IMHO - Stick to the floss and brush often.

Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @5:20PM Marion Springman said... Would this be good for someone who is lactose intollerant? Love to find out the answer before I try this in 2007.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @5:28PM Barbara Disraely said... Is there any way for those of us with partials and dentures to find more alternatives to gum that adheres to the teeth.
Is this yogurt gum non-stick?
Thankyou
Barbara
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @5:32PM Scott Fonner said... You can buy a product called, I believe, Nolvadent for brushing dogs teeth from my favorite online pet store, drsfostersmith.com. Its active ingredient is an emzyme that dissolves lactose peroxide, which melts away tartar from the dogs teeth. Lactose is milk sugar. It seems milk sugar is the sugar that causes tartar. Hmm... Yogurt bacteria eat milk sugar. If they put that enzyme, lactose peroxidase, into the gum too, they'd really have a winner wouldn't they?
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @5:34PM Carolina said... Xylitol and Maltilol and other sugar/alcohol derivatives are known to cause damage to the eye. Chemicals not recognized by the liver are stored in the eye.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @5:47PM Suzanne said... Just so you people know, I've been brushing my teeth with plain yorgurt AFTER I brush with paste, for 3 months now. Teeth are now sparkling clean and it's gotten rid of bacteria and any gum problems I've had. Does it sound strange and wacko, you betcha! Does it work, you betcha!
Ask some women about yeast infection and yogurt?
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

8-21-2006 @5:48PM Vale Kasmer said... My husband has dentures and swears on Extra gum. He says it's non stick! I have partials and don't usually have problem with gum, but I like Dentyne Ice, and Trident and the new one is also great, Stride.
Reply