"cavities" news and stories

Recently, a friend passed along a tip from a dermatologist: Stop sipping through straws. The doctor said it was the number one cause of wrinkles.

Even more recently, at lunch one day my aunt relayed some info from her husband, an orthodontist. He said that drinking through a straw prevents cavities and tooth decay, since straws allow sugary beverages to bypass your teeth. When my aunt said this, everybody around the table (six women) stuck straws in their drinks. But when I countered with the skincare side of the question, my aunt was the first to pluck her straw right back out again.

The tooth-health argument is supported by copious research. On the other side, Lesley M. M. Blume warns the wrinkle-phobic about the practice in The Huffington Post and adds, "Not to mention that it looks jejune, and not in a charming way."

Blume also mentions smoking, the better-known culprit behind mouth wrinkles. Think about it. Fine lines around the eyes suggest lots of smiles and laughter (hence the term "laugh lines"). A web of creases encircling the lips, on the other hand, cries "nicotine addiction," even if, as my friend's dermatologist claims, a penchant for straws is the more likely cause.

Then again, missing teeth rank even lower on the charm scale. Plus, what about blowing bubbles in chocolate milk?

So, what's it going to be? Would you risk cavities to prevent wrinkles, or vice-versa? Or you could always ire both dentist and derm, and sip everything through a Twizzler.

We are entering a whole new era in dentistry. One in which we'll be able to eat candy to prevent cavities. Specifically, we'll be able to suck on a licorice lollipop.

Scientists from UCLA School of Dentistry have developed this sugar free treat using Glycyrrhiza uralensis, which is "a liquorice root extract that destroys the bacteria responsible for dental cavities." The extract doesn't kill other bacteria necessary for a healthy mouth.

The developers collaborated with scientists in China to work out what kind of herbs to use. Once they had determined what would work, they had to create a delivery vehicle. Lollipops were chosen because they are consumed slowly, giving the active ingredients time to work their magic. Only 15 milligrams of licorice root powder are needed to kill the harmful bacteria, Streptococcus mutans.

So one day soon we'll be able to prevent cavities with lollipops. Maybe next we'll have plaque scraping treats and edibles that floss for us. Though it is still a thing of the present, this gives me hope that a trip to the dentist will one day be a thing of the past.

[Via ConfectioneryNews]

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