Science To Slay Slimy Teeth: Planting Chemical Anti-Biofilm For Oral Healthcare

Many Hawthorn residents know that slimy sensation when bacterial biofilms are covering the surface of our teeth. It may occur after eating or drinking, or from dry mouth from smoking or taking medicine or drugs, and maybe just from waking up after sleeping. These are some of the most dangerous times for our oral health. It is this bad bacteria, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Is there a  science to slaying these slimy teeth? It turns out there is – planting chemical anti-biofilm for oral healthcare is a forthcoming solution many of us want to see. For biofilms are a bad business for dental implants and devices like catheters too.

Plant Metabolite Discovery Serves Dental Healthcare Soon

That slimy surface layer actually shields bacteria making it harder to treat. Plants and nature have the answer once again and human ingenuity is working out how to apply it as a solution to this problem. Scientists at UC Riverside made the discovery.

“In simple terms, biofilms are communities of microorganisms, like bacteria or fungi, that stick together and form a protective layer on surfaces,” said Katayoon Dehesh, distinguished professor of molecular biochemistry at UCR, and corresponding author of a study about the discovery.

“You’ve probably seen them as the slimy layer on river rocks or the plaque on your teeth. While they’re a natural part of many ecosystems, biofilms can cause big problems.”
– Jingzhe Guo, Wilhelmina T Van De Ven, Aleksandra Skirycz, Venkatesh P. Thirumalaikumar, Liping Zeng, Quanqing Zhang, Gerd Ulrich Balcke, Alain Tissier, Katayoon Dehesh. An evolutionarily conserved metabolite inhibits biofilm formation in Escherichia coli K-12. Nature Communications, 2024; 15 (1)

The Sugar Coated Calamity Corrupting Our Oral Health

We all need as much help as we can get with our teeth thanks to the over use of refined sugars in our global food manufacturing. It is no exaggeration to state that too much refined sugar has been ruining the teeth and gums of human beings for generations.

Dentists know this to be true because we see it every working day of our lives. Serious gum disease is a scourge negatively affecting humanity, which we now know is linked to a raft of serious ailments and health conditions. The wanton disregard for oral health displayed by processed food manufacturers over decades and decades has condemned millions of people to years of bad teeth and suffering. Sugar laden foods and drinks are damaging the health of human beings. Billion dollar advertising budgets for these unhealthy sugary foods overwhelm the weak efforts by government health departments to do anything about the massive problem. Vulnerable children are putty in the hands of these slick marketing strategies globally.

“In 2023, the sugar and confectionary products industry in the United States spent slightly over 627 million U.S. dollars on advertising, up from 543.6 million dollars a year earlier. That represents an annual increase of over 15 percent.”
– Statista.com

“Cancer Council research reveals the staggering $129.5M advertising spend by the sugary drink industries vastly outweighs investment in public health advertising in Australia, enticing young Australians to consume these unhealthy products. Total advertising expenditure on sugary drinks alone reached more than $129.5M over two years, around five times the level of government investment ($26.5M) in public health campaigns promoting healthy eating, physical activity and obesity prevention combined. The study found that at least 80 per cent of the advertising spend promoting sugary drinks could be visible to kids going about their daily lives, with nearly half (45%) of advertising budget spent on TV advertising and more than a third (35%) on out of home advertising.”
– Cancer.org.au

Science To Slay Slimy Teeth Planting Chemical Anti-biofilm For Oral Healthcare At With U Dental In Hawthorn East Melbourne
Science To Slay Slimy Teeth Planting Chemical Anti-biofilm For Oral Healthcare At With U Dental In Hawthorn East Melbourne
In a nation where dental is not covered by Medicare, it is hugely irresponsible, when we know refined sugar is the culprit for destroying the oral health of millions, not to have strong warnings and controls in place about the dangers of this over used ingredient in so many snack foods and drinks. More than 60% of Australians cannot afford to get their teeth fixed by the dentist because of cost, according to research.

“Research from the Australian Dental Association (ADA) found two-thirds of Australians don’t visit the dentist yearly, due to affordability concerns. Up to 63 per cent cited high cost as the reason for delays.”
– ABC.net.au

The Australian attitude of suck it and see is not serving the community well in this regard. Poor dietary habits are costing families and the nation billions. The situation is worse in Indigenous and regional parts of Australia. Indifference and neglect from wealthier Australians will only cut if for so long. We are already hearing the cries about youth crime, especially in parts of the NT and Queensland. You do not have to be a genius to put two and two together.

The Science Of Stopping Biofilms From Forming

If science is to slay slimy teeth, planting chemical anti-biofilm for oral healthcare, how does it work? The plant sourced chemical will be a disruptor preventing biofilms from forming. This will stop the biofilm fortress from protecting bad bacteria. It was achieved via the discovery and identification of a key gene for fimbriae production. Turning this off stops the biofilm from forming. The discovery has applications way beyond just dental care. Industrial settings are also plagued by biofilms and things like cleaner water will likely benefit too.

Medical devices which are implanted like catheters, as mentioned, will be better off with this new biotechnology stopping bacterial infections.

“In medical settings, biofilms grow on devices like catheters, stents, or implants, making infections harder to treat because the microbes in biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotics. In industrial contexts, they clog pipes, contaminate food processing equipment, and cause corrosion.”
– Science Daily

Plaque Is Why We Clean Our Teeth

The slimy, sticky film on our teeth is called plaque and this protects the bad bacteria from our efforts. This results in tooth decay, bad breath, and gum diseases too. This new anti-bacterial plant based gene switch treatment will help us fight plaque and prevent cavities and gum disease.

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The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional personal diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a dental or medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read or seen on the Site.

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