Fighting Tooth Decay with Probiotics

According to recent research by Indian scientists, a daily dose of "good" bacteria might help kids fight tooth decay.

The study involved 150 children, between the ages of seven and fourteen.  All of the children were randomly assigned to one of three groups.  Each participant of the study received a powder that had to be taken once a day for two weeks.

The powder given to one of the groups (the control group) did not contain any active ingredients.  The second group's powder contained two species of pro-biotics, (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, a commercially available probiotic, and Bifidobacterium, a probiotic used in the food industry) that can potentially promote good health.  The third group was given a Bacillus coagulans containing powder, which is also used as a pro-biotic.

Study Says Lollipops Reduce Tooth Decay

Just a couple of days ago we informed you about a new study claiming that sugar-free lollipops containing licorice root extract reduce tooth decay causing bacteria.  Bacterias such as streptococcus mutans (or S. mutans,) which is considered to be the primary culprit in tooth decay.

We now have a bit more information to add, Martin Curzon, Editor in Chief, European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, said that "The use of the licorice root lollipops is an ideal approach as it will stop the transfer and implantation of the bacteria that cause dental decay from mothers to their infants and toddlers.  It also has the merit of being a low cost, high impact public dental health measure."